"I suppose I am an artificial relation." "Conventional," declared the Baroness; "very conventional." "Well, there is one way in which the relation of a lady and a gentleman may always become natural," said Acton.
"You mean by their becoming lovers?
That may be natural or not.

And at any rate," rejoined Eugenia, "nous n'en sommes pas la!" They were not, as yet; but a little later, when she began to go with him to drive, it might almost have seemed that they were.

He came for her several times, alone, in his high "wagon," drawn by a pair of charming light-limbed horses.

It was different, her having gone with Clifford Wentworth, who was her cousin, and so much younger.

It was not to be imagined that she should have a flirtation with Clifford, who was a mere shame-faced boy, and whom a large section of Boston society supposed to be "engaged" to Lizzie Acton.