she heard his coming step, just that she might recall time feeling of
exquisite delight which had passed by without the due and passionate
relish at the time. Then she would wonder how she could have had
strength, the cruel, self-piercing strength, to say what she had
done; to stab himself with that stern resolution, of which the sear
would remain till her dying day. It might have been right; but, as
she sickened, she wished she had not instinctively chosen the right.
How luxurious a life haunted by no stern sense of duty must be! And
many led this kind of life; why could not she? O, for one hour again
of his sweet company! If he came now, she would agree to whatever he
proposed.

It was a fever of the mind. She passed through it, and came out
healthy, if weak. She was capable once more of taking pleasure in
following an unseen guide through briar and brake. She returned with
tenfold affection to her protecting care of Willie. She acknowledged
to herself that he was to he her all-in-all in life. She made him
her constant companion. For his sake, as the real owner of Yew Nook,
and she as his steward and guardian, she began that course of careful
saving, and that love of acquisition, which afterwards gained for her
the reputation of being miserly. She still thought that he might
regain a scanty portion of sense--enough to require some simple
pleasures and excitement, which would cost money. And money should
not be wanting. Peggy rather assisted her in the formation of her
parsimonious habits than otherwise; economy was the order of the
district, and a certain degree of respectable avarice the
characteristic of her age. Only Willie was never stinted nor
hindered of anything that the two women thought could give him
pleasure, for want of money.