A profound
silence followed, which lasted some time, before Ann Holland returned to
him saying softly, "She is asleep."
CHAPTER VII.
WORSE THAN DEAD
Ann Holland sat down on the other side of the hearth, opposite her
rector; but she could not lift up her eyes to his face. There was no on
in the world whom she loved so well. His forbearance and kindness toward
her unfortunate brother, who was the plague and shame of her life, had
completely won for him an affection that would have astonished him if he
could have known its devotion. This moment would have been one of
unalloyed delight to her had there been no trouble lurking for him, of
which he was altogether unaware. So rejoiced she was at his return that
it seemed as if no event in her monotonous life hitherto had been so
happy; yet she was terrified at the very thought of his coming
wretchedness. When Sophy had fled to her with the cry that her husband
was come, and she dared not meet him as she was, she had seen in an
instant that she must prevent it by some means or other. The hope that
Mr.
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