In a few days after this she was sitting in the drawing-room when
Woodward unexpectedly entered it, and saluted her with great apparent
good feeling and politeness. The surprise caused her to become as pale
as death; she felt her very limbs relax with weakness, and her breath
for a few moments taken away from her; she looked upon him with an
expression of alarm and fear which she could not conceal, and it was
with some difficulty that she was at length enabled to speak.
"You will excuse me, sir," she said, "for not rising; I am very nervous,
and have not been at all well for the last week or upwards."
"Indeed, Miss Goodwin, I am very sorry to hear this; I trust it is only
a mere passing indisposition; I think the complaint is general, for my
sister has also been ailing much the same way for the last few days.
Don't be alarmed, Miss Goodwin, it is nothing, and won't signify. You
should mingle more in society; you keep too much alone."
"But I do not relish society; I never mingle in it that I don't feel
exhausted and depressed."
"That certainly makes a serious difference; in such a case, then, I
imagine society would do you more harm than good.
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