They began to lose all hope in his future career.

He was no longer the family pride; an indistinct dread, caused partly by his own conduct, partly by expressions of agonising suspicion in Anne's letters home, was creeping over their minds that he might turn out their deep disgrace.

But, I believe, they shrank from any attempt to define their fears, and spoke of him to each other as little as possible.

They could not help but think, and mourn, and wonder.
"Feb.

20th, 1845.
"I spent a week at H., not very pleasantly; headache, sickliness, and flatness of spirits, made me a poor companion, a sad drag on the vivacious and loquacious gaiety of all the other inmates of the house.