Distract her mind as much as possible from the trouble, whatever it is,
that oppresses it. Had she been left much longer to herself, she would
have quite lost her reason. Let her see such friends as can be trusted
to talk to her cheerfully and to amuse, without wearying her. If you
undertake this office, Miss Gladys, you will require all your patience,
and more than your natural health; and once undertaken, you must not
give it up, for she will get used to you, and depend upon you. Poor
thing! poor thing! I have seen many such cases, and never need to
inquire much into private history to know their origin. Wicked, morose,
unfeeling, cruel husbands are generally at the root, and God only knows
what their victims have to bear. There will be a pretty large account to
make up at the Great Day, Mr Prothero, between man and wife, of marriage
vows broken, and feelings outraged.'
'And my poor--and Mrs Mills,' said Rowland, 'ought, you think, to be
removed at once from London?'
'Decidedly, if she can be prevailed upon to go of her own free will, not
otherwise. I will see her again to-morrow, and watch her case as long as
she remains here. As regards the poor child, Miss Gladys, she, too, must
be nursed and amused, and well fed.
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