And it will be so nice to look forward." She was not aware how Lady Maria's suggestions had "sunk in." She would probably have reached the same conclusion without their having been made, but since they had been made, they had assisted her.

There was one thing of all others she felt she could not possibly bear, which was to realise that she herself could bring to her James's face an expression she had once or twice seen others bring there (Captain Osborn notably),--an expression of silent boredom on the verge of irritation.
Even radiant domestic joy might not be able to overrule this, if just at this particular juncture he found himself placed in the position of a man whom decency compelled to take the next steamer to England.
If she had felt tenderly towards Hester Osborn before, the feeling was now increased tenfold.

She went to see her oftener, she began to try to persuade her to come and stay at Palstrey.

She was all the more kind because Hester seemed less well, and was in desperate ill spirits.

Her small face had grown thin and yellow, she had dark rings under her eyes, and her little hands were hot and looked like bird's claws.