And, as for that, I wonder what he'd have to say to such as she is." There was complexity of element enough in the thing she was on her way to do, Bettina was thinking, as she was driven over the white ribbon of country road that unrolled over rise and hollow, between the sheep-dotted greenness of fields and the scented hedges.

The soft beauty enclosing her was a little shut out from her by her mental attitude.

She brought forward for her own decisions upon suitable action a number of possible situations she might find herself called upon to confront.
The one thing necessary was that she should be prepared for anything whatever, even for Rosy's not being pleased to see her, or for finding Sir Nigel a thoroughly reformed and amiable character.
"It is the thing which seemingly CANNOT happen which one is most likely to find one's self face to face with.

It will be a little awkward to arrange, if he has developed every domestic virtue, and is delighted to see me." Under such rather confusing conditions her plan would be to present to them, as an affectionate surprise, the unheralded visit, which might appear a trifle uncalled for.

She felt happily sure of herself under any circumstances not partaking of the nature of collisions at sea.