There was the well-known figure, rapidly approaching her! Anne was true to their friendship--Anne had kept her engagement at last! Blanche hurried out, and drew her into the library in triumph.

"This makes amends, love for every thing! You answer my letter in the best of all ways--you bring me your own dear self." She placed Anne in a chair, and, lifting her veil, saw her plainly in the brilliant mid-day light.
The change in the whole woman was nothing less than dreadful to the loving eyes that rested on her.

She looked years older than her real age.

There was a dull calm in her face, a stagnant, stupefied submission to any thing, pitiable to see.

Three days and nights of solitude and grief, three days and nights of unresting and unpartaken suspense, had crushed that sensitive nature, had frozen that warm heart.