She had every luxury, more than her station by right of birth would have supplied.
But he was astonished to find that his Aminta proved herself clever, though she had now and then said something pointed.

She was in awe of him: notwithstanding which, clearly she meant to win and pull him over.
He did not dislike her for it; she might use her weapons to play her game; and that she should bewitch men--a man like Morsfield--was not wonderful.

On the other hand, her conquest of Mrs.Lawrence Finchley scored tellingly: that was unaccountably queer.

What did Mrs.Lawrence expect to gain?
the sage lord asked.

He had not known women devoid of a positive practical object of their own when they bestirred themselves to do a friendly deed.
Thanks to her conquest of Mrs.Lawrence, his Aminta was gaining ground--daily she made an advance; insomuch that he had heard of himself as harshly blamed in London for not having countenanced her recent and rather imprudent move.