Neith Boyce

“ Hawley about Tom's folly—and it seemed no more necessary to mention that she had seen him again, or even that she had asked him to come to the house. For she had no idea that he would come; he was now entirely apart from her life.
It had grown quite dark, and still Cecilia sat pensive, absorbed in her vague thoughts—a thing very unusual with her. The big house was perfectly quiet. A Sunday calm intensified the sober dignity of this prosperous quarter. People had come back from afternoon church, and were now dozing or reading respectably in their libraries. ”

“ He preferred to go to see Bertha. That was natural enough, no doubt; they were both young, had no cares, and could enjoy themselves. Whereas, Cecilia felt, she herself was already an old married woman, her time and thoughts occupied with the care of an invalid husband and an establishment. Cecilia took her responsibilities with extreme seriousness; she felt burdened always, and sometimes she felt bored. ”

“ Now she experienced the truth of the maxim that the reward of virtue is more virtue. After that one wayward glance and moment of revolt she turned again to the straight path marked out before her and the load of responsibilities, of which she accepted the full weight and perhaps a little more. ”