My father was the first who broke the law among us , and I followed his example : choosing the freshest , sturdiest flower I could find to transplant into our exhausted soil . '' `` I hope it will do you honor by blossoming bravely . I never forget that you took me from a very humble home , and have made me the happiest wife in England . '' `` And I never forget that you , a girl of eighteen , consented to leave your hills and come to cheer the long-deserted house of an old man like me , '' returned her husband fondly . `` Nay , do n't call yourself old , Richard ; you are only forty-five , the boldest , handsomest man in Warwickshire . But lately you look worried ; what is it ? Tell me , and let me advise or comfort you . '' `` It is nothing , Alice , except my natural anxiety for you -- Well , Kingston , what do you want ? '' Trevlyn 's tender tones grew sharp as he addressed the entering servant , and the smile on his lips vanished , leaving them dry and white as he glanced at the card he handed him . An instant he stood staring at it , then asked , `` Is the man here ? '' `` In the library , sir . '' `` I 'll come . '' Flinging the card into the fire , he watched it turn to ashes before he spoke , with averted eyes : `` Only some annoying business , love ; I shall soon be with you again . Lie and rest till I come . '' With a hasty caress he left her , but as he passed a mirror , his wife saw an expression of intense excitement in his face . She said nothing , and lay motionless for several minutes evidently struggling with some strong impulse . `` He is ill and anxious , but hides it from me ; I have a right to know , and he 'll forgive me when I prove that it does no harm . '' As she spoke to herself she rose , glided noiselessly through the hall , entered a small closet built in the thickness of the wall , and , bending to the keyhole of a narrow door , listened with a half-smile on her lips at the trespass she was committing . A murmur of voices met her ear . Her husband spoke oftenest , and suddenly some word of his dashed the smile from her face as if with a blow .
She started , shrank , and shivered , XXXXX lower with set teeth , white cheeks , and panic-stricken heart .
bending committing entered entering forgive made passed said spoke struggling