And he could still be that, if Nesta, in the chapters
of the future, changed her mind. She might; for her good she would; he
reserved the hope. His light was one to burn beneath an extinguisher.

At the luncheon table of the Duvidney ladies, it was a pain to Dorothea
and Virginia to witness how poor the appetite their Nesta brought in
from the briny blowy walk. They prophesied against her chances of a good
sleep at night, if she did not eat heartily. Virginia timidly remarked
on her paleness. Both of them put their simple arts in motion to let her
know, that she was dear to them: so dear as to make them dread the hour
of parting. They named their dread of it. They had consulted in private
and owned to one another, that they did really love the child, and dared
not look forward to what they would do without her. The dear child's
paleness and want of appetite (they remembered they were observing
a weak innocent girl) suggested to them mutually the idea of a young
female heart sickening, for the old unhappy maiden reason. But, if
only she might return with them to the Wells, the Rev. Stuart Rem would
assure her to convince her of her not being quite, quite forsaken. He,
or some one having sanction from Victor, might ultimately (the ladies
waiting anxiously in the next room, to fold her on the warmth of their
bosoms when she had heard) impart to her the knowledge of circumstances,
which would, under their further tuition concerning the particular
sentiments of great families and the strict duties of the scions of
the race, help to account for and excuse the Hon. Dudley Sowerby's
behaviour.

They went up to the drawing-room, talking of Skepsey and his tale of
Miss Pridden, for Nesta's amusement. Any talk of her Skepsey usually
quickened her lips to reminiscent smiles and speech. Now she held on to
gazeing; and sadly, it seemed; as if some object were not present.

For a vague encouragement, Dorothea said: 'One week, and we are back
home at Moorsedge!'--not so far from Cronidge, was implied, for the
administering of some foolish temporary comfort. And it was as when a
fish on land springs its hollow sides in alien air for the sustaining
element; the girl panted; she clasped Dorothea's hand and looked at
Virginia: 'My mother--I must see her!' she said. They were slightly
stupefied by the unwonted mention of her mother. They made no reply.
They never had done so when there was allusion to her mother. Their
silence now struck