Third Period Chapter 39 The Mystery of the Hospital

On the next morning Lord Harry left the cottage, accompanied by the
doctor.

After a long absence, he returned alone. His wife's worst
apprehensions, roused by what Fanny had told her, were more than
justified, by the change which she now perceived in him. His eyes were
bloodshot, his face was haggard, his movements were feeble and slow. He
looked like a man exhausted by some internal conflict, which had
vibrated between the extremes of anger and alarm. "I'm tired to death,"
he said; "get me a glass of wine."

She waited on him with eager obedience, and watched anxiously for the
reviving effect of the stimulant.

The little irritabilities which degrade humanity only prolong their
mischievous existence, while the surface of life stagnates in calm.
Their annihilation follows when strong emotion stirs in the depths, and
raises the storm. The estrangement of the day before passed as
completely from the minds of the husband and wife--both strongly
agitated--as if it had never existed. All-mastering fear was busy at
their hearts; fear, in the woman, of the unknown temptation which had
tried the man; fear, in the man, of the tell-tale disturbance in him,
which might excite the woman's suspicion. Without venturing to look at
him, Iris said: "I am afraid you have heard bad news?" Without
venturing to look at her, Lord Harry answered: "Yes, at the newspaper
office." She knew that he was deceiving her; and he felt that she knew
it. For awhile, they were both silent.