She took them to bed with her so as to read late, and lay late in the morning for the same reason.

She must have been one of Mr.Mudie's most diligent subscribers.

She had no taste for walking in the country, and could only occasionally be persuaded to take a drive.

It was not surprising that her face had not quite the healthy colour of a year ago; there was negligence, too, in her dress, and she had grown addicted to recumbent attitudes.

Between her and Adela no semblance of friendship had yet arisen, though the latter frequently sought to substitute a nearer relation for superficial friendliness.
Alice never exhibited anything short of good-will, but her first impressions were lasting; she suspected her sister-in-law of a desire to patronise, and was determined to allow nothing of the kind.