In it the heroic dream of years broke down.

Nay, the shrivelling ironic touch of circumstance laid upon it made it look even in her own eyes almost ridiculous.

What had she been living for, praying for, all these years?
She threw herself down by the widow's side, her face working with a passion that terrified Mrs.Leyburn.
'Oh, mother, say you would miss me--say you would miss me if I went!' Then Mrs.Leyburn herself broke down, and the two women clung to each other, weeping.

Catherine's sore heart was soothed a little by her mother's tears, and by the broken words of endearment that were lavished on her.

But through it all she felt that the excited imaginative desire in Mrs.Leyburn still persisted.