But Sisily was not that kind of girl.

She was strange and unapproachable.

There was something almost repellent in her reserve, something in her dark preoccupied gaze which made Mrs.Pendleton feel quite nervous, and unfeignedly relieved when Sisily had asked to be allowed to go to her room immediately the meal was concluded.
As she sat at the table, reviewing the events of the afternoon, after the girl had taken her departure, Mrs.Pendleton regretted that she had consented to take charge of Sisily.

She flattered herself that she was sufficiently modern not to care a row of pins for the stigma on the girl's birth, but there were awkward circumstances, and not the least of them was her own rash promise to break the news to Sisily that she was illegitimate.

That disclosure was not likely to help their future relations together.