She perfectly understood all that was implied, whether in his instinctive dislike of Aldous Raeburn, or in his cordiality towards young Wharton.
After a minute's silence, he got up again and left the room, walking, as she observed, with difficulty.

She stopped a minute or so in the same place after he had gone, turning her rings absently on her thin fingers.
She was thinking of some remarks which Dr.Clarke, the excellent and experienced local doctor, had made to her on the occasion of his last visit.

With all the force of her strong will she had set herself to disbelieve them.

But they had had subtle effects already.

Finally she too went upstairs, bidding Marcella, whom she met coming down, hurry William with the tea, as Mr.Wharton might arrive any moment.
* * * * * Marcella saw the room shut up--the large, shabby, beautiful room--the lamps brought in, fresh wood thrown on the fire to make it blaze, and the tea-table set out.