She took him to the station in her brougham, but did not go on to the platform.

Their parting was very like that of lovers, for it ended with mutual promises to 'write often.' Mrs.
Baxendale was down-hearted as she drove home--in her a most unusual thing.
Two days later she went to Banbrigg, carrying the satisfactory news that at last a sale of the Barnhill property had been negotiated.

To Emily this intelligence gave extreme relief; it restored her independence.
Having this subject to speak of made the meeting easier on both sides than it could otherwise have been.

Emily was restlessly anxious to take upon herself the task of nursing her mother; with the maid to help her, she declared herself able to bear all responsibilities, and persisted so strongly that Mrs.Baxendale had no choice but to assent to the nurse who had remained being withdrawn.

She could understand the need of activity which possessed the girl, but had grave fears of the result of an undertaking so disproportioned to her strength.
'Will you promise me,' she said, 'to give it up and get help if you find it is trying you excessively ?' 'Yes,' Emily replied, 'I will promise that.