WhileMissLintonmopedabouttheparkandgarden, alwayssilent, andalmostalwaysintears; andherbrothershuthimselfupamongbooksthatheneveropened—wearying, Iguessed, withacontinualvagueexpectationthatCatherine, repentingherconduct, wouldcomeofherownaccordtoaskpardon, andseekareconciliation—andshefastedpertinaciously, undertheidea, probably, thatateverymealEdgarwasreadytochokeforherabsence, andpridealoneheldhimfromrunningtocasthimselfatherfeet; Iwentaboutmyhouseholdduties, convincedthattheGrangehadbutonesensiblesoulinitswalls, , noranyexpostulationsonmymistress; nordidIpaymuchattentiontothesighsofmymaster, whoyearnedtohearhislady’sname, ; andthoughitwasatiresomelyslowprocess, Ibegantorejoiceatlengthinafaintdawnofitsprogress: asIthoughtatfirst.
, onthethirdday, unbarredherdoor, andhavingfinishedthewaterinherpitcheranddecanter, desiredarenewedsupply, andabasinofgruel, ’sears; Ibelievednosuchthing, , andsankbackonherpillowagain, clenchingherhandsandgroaning.‘Oh, Iwilldie,’ sheexclaimed, ‘.’ ThenagoodwhileafterIheardhermurmur, ‘No, I’llnotdie—he’dbeglad—hedoesnotlovemeatall—hewouldnevermissme!’
‘Didyouwantanything, ma’am?’ Iinquired, stillpreservingmyexternalcomposure, inspiteofherghastlycountenanceandstrange, exaggeratedmanner.
‘Whatisthatapatheticbeingdoing?’ shedemanded, pushingthethickentangledlocksfromherwastedface.‘Hashefallenintoalethargy, orishedead?’
