It might come to her as a smudge upon me.

Then I could not expect to continue my attentions to her without explanations.

How could I go into explanations with Dorothy?
But even if Dorothy only knew that Zoe was my sister, what would she think of me?
Could she have an interest in a man with a family relationship of this sort?
Could Dorothy, bred in Tennessee, look with favor upon my attentions?
Had Reverdy and Sarah kept this relationship from Dorothy?
Had some one else told her?
But if she had not found these circumstances a reason for turning from me could she tolerate the rest of my difficulties?
And one night I came home to find Zoe in bed.

She was in great pain and very weak.

She was scarcely able to talk.