As it turned out, I only made matters worse still.

I'm afraid I mortified her without meaning it! She suddenly turned away.

'He looks at the billiard balls,' I heard her say.
'Anything rather than look at _me_!' Before I could stop her, she had left the hall.

I am not quite easy about it, Betteredge.

Would you mind telling Rosanna that I meant no unkindness?
I have been a little hard on her, perhaps, in my own thoughts--I have almost hoped that the loss of the Diamond might be traced to _her_.