The Nortons were every bit as good as the Malroys, which was saying a great deal.

Their history was quite as pretentious, quite as vague, and as hopelessly involved in the mists of tradition.
Inexplicably enough, Betty found that her thoughts had wandered to Carrington; which was very singular, as she had long since formed a resolution not to think of him at all.

Yet she remembered with satisfaction his manner that afternoon, it left nothing to be desired.
He was probably understanding the impassable gulf that separated them--education, experience, feeling, everything that made up the substance of life but deepened and widened this gulf.

He belonged to that shifting, adventurous population which was far beneath the slave-holding aristocracy, at least he more nearly belonged to this lower order than to any other.

She fixed his status relentlessly as something to be remembered when they should meet again.