although she was not happy, the " sense of money kept her proud and confident" (590). I feel that Mabel remained to cater to her family because those were the only people that ever acknowledged her. Mabel tries to keep strong by reassuring herself that she "would always hold the key to her own situation". In my opinion, I feel she was trying to convince herself but deep inside her heart, she has already died a spiritual death.
Symbolism begins to play an important role in the story when Mabel visits the churchyard where her mothers' headstone was at rest. She took her time cleaning the surroundings of her mother's grave. This was the only place that offered Mabel a sense of security. "Once under the shadow of the great looming church, among the graves, she felt immune from the world, reserved within the thick churchyard wall as in another country"(590). Dr. Ferguson noticed Mabel at the grave. "She seemed so intent and remote, it was like looking into another world. Some mystical element was touched in him."(591) I feel that Dr. Ferguson seen himself in Mabel for the very first time. The doctor never looked at Mabel in this type of way until this very moment. It was at this point where Lawrence changed course toward the direction of a love story.
After Mabel visited the cemetery, she proceeded towards the deep pond below Old meadow. The doctor noticed Mabel was walking toward the pond, but he was unaware of what she would do. It was then that Mabel " waded into the water" (592). Dr. Ferguson ventured into the pond dragging Mabel