He was shocked at her wan and wasted appearance.
"Helen," he said, taking a seat beside the bed, "you look very sick."
"No, Robert, not very sick. It is only the effect of overwork and scanty food."
"That is enough. How long have you been sick?"
"A fortnight. Things looked very dark for me. I feared my poor children would starve, but this morning a noble boy, whom Providence must have sent to me in my extremity, gave me two sovereigns, and they will last me till I am well. But where have you been, Robert?"
"I have been to America."
"And did you—did you see anything of my husband?" she asked, fixing her eyes anxiously upon him.
"Do you think of him still? He does not deserve it. He has treated you like a scoundrel."
"I know he has not treated me right, Robert, but he is the father of my children. Then you did not find him?"