Of course this state of things led to remark.

Mrs.Waltham was inclined to suspect some wrong feeling on Letty's side, though of what nature it was hard to determine.

Alfred, on the other hand, took his sister's behaviour ill, more especially as he felt a distinct change in her manner to himself.
Was the girl going to be spoilt by the possession of wealth?
What on earth did she mean by her reserve, her cold dignity?
Wasn't Letty good enough for her now that she was lady of the Manor?
Letty herself, when the subject was spoken of, pretended to recognise no change beyond what was to be expected.

So far from being hurt, her love for Adela grew warmer during these months of seeming estrangement; her only trouble was that she could not go often and sit by her friend's side--sit silently, hand holding hand.

That would have been better than speech, which misled, or at best was inadequate.