But there was no love, nor tender yearning for conjunction--at least, nothing recognized as such in her own consciousness.
Not since the days Irene left the house of her husband had she heard from him directly; and only two or three times indirectly.

She had never visited the city since her flight therefrom, and all her pleasant and strongly influencing associations there were, in consequence, at an end.

Once her very dear friend Mrs.Talbot came up to sympathize with and strengthen her in the fiery trial through which she was passing.

She found Irene's truer friend, Rosa Carman, with her; and Rose did not leave them alone for a moment at a time.
All sentiments that she regarded as hurtful to Irene in her present state of mind she met with her calm, conclusive mode of reasoning, that took away the specious force of the sophist's dogmas.

But her influence was chiefly used in the repression of unprofitable themes, and the introduction of such as tended to tranquilize the feelings, and turn the thoughts of her friend away from the trouble that was lying upon her soul like a suffocating nightmare.