Cultivated she was not, in the conventional sense, but she knew more than can be imbibed from books.

She knew life at first hand, had drained the cup for herself, and yet could savour the lees.

Not that she enlarged any further on her own past.

Mrs.Lascelles was never a great talker, like Catherine; but she was certainly a woman to whom one could talk.

And talk to her I did thenceforward, with a conscientious conviction that I was doing my duty, and only an occasional qualm for its congenial character, while Bob listened with a wondering eye, or went his own way without a word.
It is easy to criticise my conduct now.