He decried boasting, particularly to Giles; yet whenever the subject was Grace, his judgment resigned the ministry of speech in spite of him.
Winterborne felt surprise, pleasure, and also a little apprehension at the news.

He repeated Mrs.Melbury's words.
"Yes," said paternal pride, not sorry to have dragged out of him what he could not in any circumstances have kept in.

"Coming home from the woods this afternoon we met Mrs.Charmond out for a ride.

She spoke to me on a little matter of business, and then got acquainted with Grace.
'Twas wonderful how she took to Grace in a few minutes; that freemasonry of education made 'em close at once.

Naturally enough she was amazed that such an article--ha, ha!--could come out of my house.
At last it led on to Mis'ess Grace being asked to the House.