CHAPTER 12.
Mrs.Frothingham was overjoyed.

In private talk with Harvey she sang the praises of her step-daughter, whom, she declared, any man might be proud to have won.

For Alma herself had so much pride; the characteristic, said Mrs.Frothingham, which had put dangers in her path, and menaced her prospects of happiness.
'There's no harm in saying, Mr.Rolfe, that I never dared to hope for this.

I thought perhaps that you--but I was afraid Alma wouldn't listen to any one.

Just of late, she seemed to feel her position so much more than at first.