But the necessity of self-control, the necessity of concealing from _her_ a knowledge which might only, by impressing her imagination, expedite her doom, while it would embitter to her mind the unconscious enjoyment of the hour, nerved and manned him.

He checked by those violent efforts which only men can make, the evidence of his emotions; and endeavoured, by a rapid torrent of words, to divert her attention from a weakness, the causes of which he could not explain.

Fortunately Vane soon returned, and Trevylyan, consigning Gertrude to his care, hastily left the room.
Gertrude sank into a revery.
"Ah, dear father!" said she, suddenly, and after a pause, "if I indeed were worse than I have thought myself of late, if I were to die now, what would Trevylyan feel?
Pray God I may live for his sake!" "My child, do not talk thus; you are better, much better than you were.
Ere the autumn ends, Trevylyan's happiness will be your lawful care.

Do not think so despondently of yourself." "I thought not of myself," sighed Gertrude, "but of _him_!".