Magdalen's strong nature had sustained her through the
struggle; and the issue of it had left her what she now was.
After sitting by the window for nearly an hour, her eyes looking
mechanically at the view, her mind empty of all impressions, and
conscious of no thoughts, she shook off the strange waking stupor that
possessed her, and rose to prepare herself for the serious business of
the day.
She went to the wardrobe and took down from the pegs two bright,
delicate muslin dresses, which had been made for summer wear at
Combe-Raven a year since, and which had been of too little value to be
worth selling when she parted with her other possessions. After placing
these dresses side by side on the bed, she looked into the wardrobe once
more. It only contained one other summer dress--the plain alpaca gown
which she had worn during her memorable interview with Noel Vanstone and
Mrs. Lecount. This she left in its place, resolving not to wear it--less
from any dread that the housekeeper might recognize a pattern too quiet
to be noticed, and too common to be remembered, than from the conviction
that it was neither gay enough nor becoming enough for her purpose.
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