Her little child, the one gleam of sunshine that her darkened life had ever known, was born in the little cottage, and there it had died.
Dr.Letsom, who was too abrupt for the ladies of Castledene, had watched with the greatest and most untiring care over the fragile life of that little child.

He had exerted his utmost skill in order to save it.

But all was in vain; and on the very day that Lord Charlewood arrived at Castledene the child died.
When a tender nurse and foster-mother was needed for little Madaline, the doctor thought of Margaret Dornham.

He felt that all difficulty was at an end.

He sent for her.