"Don't raft yourself without good need, George," she replied. "I won't
quite believe that things are so much amiss. I won't believe that Mrs.
Charmond has encouraged him. Even supposing she has encouraged a great
many, she can have no motive to do it now. What so likely as that she
is not yet quite well, and doesn't care to let another doctor come near
her?"
He did not heed. "Grace used to be so busy every day, with fixing a
curtain here and driving a tin-tack there; but she cares for no
employment now!"
"Do you know anything of Mrs. Charmond's past history? Perhaps that
would throw some light upon things. Before she came here as the wife
of old Charmond four or five years ago, not a soul seems to have heard
aught of her. Why not make inquiries? And then do ye wait and see
more; there'll be plenty of opportunity. Time enough to cry when you
know 'tis a crying matter; and 'tis bad to meet troubles half-way."
There was some good-sense in the notion of seeing further. Melbury
resolved to inquire and wait, hoping still, but oppressed
between-whiles with much fear.