Mrs. West 's death , which occurred on Rosemary 's twenty-fifth birthday , was a bitter grief to them . At first they were intolerably lonely . Ellen , especially , continued to grieve and brood , her long , moody musings broken only by fits of stormy , passionate weeping . The old Lowbridge doctor told Rosemary that he feared permanent melancholy or worse . Once , when Ellen had sat all day , refusing either to speak or eat , Rosemary had flung herself on her knees by her sister 's side . `` Oh , Ellen , you have me yet , '' she said imploringly . `` Am I nothing to you ? We have always loved each other so . '' `` I wo n't have you always , '' Ellen had said , breaking her silence with harsh intensity . `` You will marry and leave me . I shall be left all alone . I can not bear the thought -- I CAN NOT . I would rather die . '' `` I will never marry , '' said Rosemary , `` never , Ellen . '' Ellen bent forward and looked searchingly into Rosemary 's eyes . `` Will you promise me that solemnly ? '' she said . `` Promise it on mother 's Bible . '' Rosemary assented at once , quite willing to humour Ellen . What did it matter ?
She knew quite well she would never want XXXXX marry any one .
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