That
which makes for our destruction, everything that is horrible, seems
spontaneously active, and the opposition is an everlasting struggle.
At last the effect upon Catharine's health was so obvious that Mrs.
Bellamy was alarmed, and went over to Eastthorpe to see Mrs. Furze.
Mrs. Furze in her own mind instantly concluded that Tom was the
cause of her daughter's trouble, but she did not mean to admit it to
her. In a sense Tom was the cause; not that she loved him, but
because her refusal of him brought it vividly before her that her
life would be spent without love, or, at least, without a love which
could be acknowledged. It was a crisis, for the pattern of her
existence was henceforth settled, and she was to live not only
without that which is sweetest for woman, but with no definite
object before her. The force in woman is so great that something
with which it can grapple, on which it can expend itself, is a
necessity, and Catharine felt that her strength would have to occupy
itself in twisting straws. It is really this which is the root of
many a poor girl's suffering. As the world is arranged at present,
there is too much power for the mills which have to be turned by it.
Mrs. Furze requested Mrs. Bellamy to send back Catharine at once in
order that a doctor might be consulted. She returned; she did not
really much care where she was; and to the doctor she went. Dr.
Turnbull was the gentleman selected.
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