Again deeply she drew her breath, as if to rid herself of some oppression.

Life was difficult--life was difficult! But presently, as she walked, the sense of oppression lessened.

She even faintly smiled to herself.

What an odd, passionate youth he was! It was impossible to be angry with him; better far not to take him seriously at all.
She recalled old Mrs.Marshall's dour remarks concerning him;--"brought up by men from his cradle," brought up, moreover, by that terrible old Sir Beverley on the one hand and an irresponsible French valet on the other.

She caught herself wishing that she had had the upbringing of him, and smiled again.