The old disagreements between them had been in another tone, at all events on Richard's side, for they had arisen from his earnest disapproval of frivolities and the like.

Richard could no longer speak in that way.

To lose the power of honest reproof in consequence of a moral lapse is to any man a wide-reaching calamity; to a man of Mutimer's calibre it meant disaster of which the end could not be foreseen.
Of course Alice yielded; her affection and Richard's superior force always made it a foregone result that she should do so.
'And you won't come and see mother ?' she asked.
'No.

She's behaving foolishly.' 'It's precious dull at home, I can tell you.

I can't go on much longer without friends of some kind.