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140 woman's sorrow teach her woman's strength, and could she lock her grief deep in her inmost heart?

"I had accompanied Avonleigh beyond the gates, and I now hurried back impatiently, for I had resolved on seeing Beatrice. On my way to their house I met one of the students, who told me that sudden illness had prevented Carrara's attendance on his class. Was his illness of the mind? Had his daughter told him everything? I had now sufficient excuse for calling, and that was all the sympathy I felt for the grief of my kind old friend. I entered the garden, and for the first time paused; its stillness smote upon my heart. Every thing I saw was associated with Beatrice's care, with Beatrice's happiness. There was the little fountain where I had so often seen her nymph-like shape reflected; the waters glittered in the morning sun—what a mockery it would be were they to be her mirror now! I remarked that she had been watering a bed of carnations; half were left unwatered, and the water-vessel stood in the walk, as if her labour had been suddenly suspended, and not renewed again. Had she been interrupted by Avonleigh's letter?

"I had not courage to look my thoughts in the face, and hastened, towards Carrara's study.