Frankness of that kind is the mark of his friendship--haven't you found that out?
Hasn't he taken occasion yet to inform you that your life is conducted on an utterly mistaken principle, that you are shallow and inefficient, that you are worse than useless in the world, and ought, if properly constituted, to be a torment to yourself?
None of these things he has said?
Oh, then you are not admitted to Mr.Athel's intimacy; you are not of the inner circle.' She spoke with a kind of reckless gaiety, a mocking merriment which her rich voice and command of facial expression made very effective.

It startled her hearer, who, when the girl ceased, took one of her hands and patted it kindly.
'Why then,' she said, 'I have been altogether mistaken; for I did really think he had offended you.

But now I'm sure you'll stay--won't you ?' 'Rather than you should think I run away from Mr.Athel's high censure--certainly.' Then she became silent, and shortly left the room.

Mrs.Baxendale sat by herself musing.
She was a woman given to thoughtfulness, for all that she used her tongue freely when with those she liked.

She did not greatly seek such society as Dunfield had to offer, and partly on that account, partly owing to alarms excited by her caustic comments on matters of popular interest, the ladies of the town left her abundance of leisure.