Had Miss Gascoigne known what a horrible monster it was, like a tiger at her throat, which sprang upon Christian when she waked that morning, she, even she, might have felt remorseful for the pain she had caused.

Yet perhaps she would not.

In this weary life of ours, _"With darkness and the death-hour rounding it,"_ It is strange how many people seem actually to enjoy making other people miserable.
Christian rose and dressed; for her household ways must go on as usual; she must take her place at the breakfast-table, and make it cheerful and pleasant, so that the children might not find out any thing wrong with mother.

She did so, and sent them away to their morning play--happy little souls! Then she sat down to think for a little, all alone.
Not what to do--that was already decided; but how to do it--how to tell Dr.Grey in the least painful way that his love had not been the first love she had received--and given; that she had had this secret, and kept it from him, though he was her husband, for six whole months.
Oh, had she but told him before her marriage, long, long ago! Now, he might think she only did it out of fear, dread of public opinion, or seeking protection from the public scandal that might overtake her, however innocent.

For was she not in the hands of an unscrupulous man and a malicious woman?
It was hopeless to defend herself.