The summons which had taken her home had been a peremptory one. Her
mother, who had been ill for a good many months, had suddenly
suffered some brain injury, which had reduced her to a childish
helplessness. She did not recognize Elizabeth, and though she was
very soon out of physical danger, the mental disaster remained. A
good nurse was now more to her than the daughter to whom she had
been devoted. A good nurse was in charge, and Elizabeth had
persuaded an elderly cousin, living on a small annuity, to come and
share her mother's rooms. Now what was more necessary than ever
was--money! Elizabeth's salary was indispensable.
Was she to allow fine feelings about Pamela to drive her out of her
post and her earnings--to the jeopardy not only of her mother's
comfort, but of the good--the national--work open to her at
Mannering?
But there was a much more agitating question behind. She had only
trifled with it till now. But on the night of her return it pressed.
And as a reasonable woman, thirty years of age, she proceeded to
look it in the face.
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