She bore illwill to no one: but as an Esmond, she had a sense of honour, and Mr.Washington had forfeited hers in letting her son out of his sight.

He had to obey superior orders (some one perhaps objected)?
Psha! a promise was a promise.

He had promised to guard George's life with his own, and where was her boy?
And was not the Colonel (a pretty Colonel, indeed!) sound and safe?
Do not tell me that his coat and hat had shots through them! (This was her answer to another humble plea in Mr.Washington's behalf.) Can't I go into the study this instant and fire two shots with my papa's pistols through this paduasoy skirt,--and should I be killed?
She laughed at the notion of death resulting from any such operation; nor was her laugh very pleasant to hear.

The satire of people who have little natural humour is seldom good sport for bystanders.

I think dull men's faceticae are mostly cruel.
So, if Harry wanted to meet his friend, he had to do so in secret, at court-houses, taverns, or various places of resort; or in their little towns, where the provincial gentry assembled.