As Mrs.Baxendale approached, he held the sheet to her.
'Then my last conjecture is fruitless,' she said, letting her hand fall.
'We cannot doubt her word.' 'Doubt it?
No.

There is nothing for me but to believe all she said.' He let his face fall upon his hands; the bitterness of fate was entering his inmost heart.
'No, no, you shall not give way,' said his friend, just touching his fingers.

'It all looks very sad and hopeless, but I will not believe it is hopeless.

Refuse to believe that one worst thing, the only thing for which there is no remedy.

Come, defy yourself to believe it! You are strong enough for that; there is manhood in you for anything that is worth bearing, however hard.' He could not reply to her encouragement; who cannot devise words of exhortation?
and what idler than such words when the heart agonises?
'Try and listen to me, Wilfrid.