Ronald's wife and children must take their places in the world; and she felt a proud satisfaction in thinking that, thanks to her sensible and judicious management, Dora would fill her future position with credit.

She anticipated Ronald's delight when he should see his beautiful and accomplished daughters.

Despite her great sorrow, the lady of Earlescourt felt some degree of hope for the future.

She wrote to the Elms, telling Dora of her husband's death, and announcing her own coming; then the little household understood that their quiet and solitude had ended forever.
The first thing was to provide handsome mourning.

Dora was strangely quiet and sad through it all.