She did not wish to meet any of her former friends lest she would hear something that would grate harshly on her nerves. She suffered much from headache and consequently remained most of the time in her own apartments.
"If your papa were at all times conscious of our presence, my dear, there would be some sense in my remaining with him, but really Madge I think the more quiet he is kept the better."
"But mamma dear, one of us should be near so that with returning consciousness he would recognize us."
"But that is not very often, Madge."
"Aunt Hester says that he asked for me very soon after I returned last night. I am so sorry that she did not awaken me." The girl looked sad indeed and to a more sensitive woman it would have been a keen reproach, but Mrs. Verne was wrapt up in self and wished no other feeling to find a shelter within her breast.
Some days passed and no great change had taken place in Mr. Verne yet the physician did not pronounce his case as hopeless.
"We are all doing our best and I trust that there will soon be a favorable change."
Marguerite Verne heard those words with a deep sigh, yet she was calm, and composed and even smiled at the eulogism passed upon her skill in the many duties of the sick chamber.
It was only when in her own room and none were near to witness her grief that she showed the weak side of her nature.
Many weary hours she lay and prayed that God would give her strength to go through the sad and painful duty that ever and anon rose up before her with a vividness that was cruel as death.