Midday
No friend appeared to cheer her . Indeed , she had no friends left , for by her husband 's command she had broken off her acquaintance with all who after the strange circumstances connected with her marriage were still inclined to know her . He said that he would have no chattering Dutch vrouws about the house , and they said and believed that the Countess de Montalvo had become too proud to associate with those of her own class and people . Midday came and she could eat no food ; indeed , she had touched none for twenty-four hours ; her gorge rose against it , although in her state she needed food . Now the shame of her position began to come home to Lysbeth . She was a wife and no wife ; soon she must bear the burden of motherhood , and oh ! what would that child be ?