How can I be indifferent to it?
I am thankful, Sir Charles, I am grateful--the more so that I have the happiness of knowing I owe the consideration with which I am treated, in Deadham, entirely to you .-- Yes, yes," she cried in rising exaltation, "I do not deny that I went to Harchester yesterday--went--Dr.Horniblow thus expressed it when inviting me--'as representing The Hard.' I was away when Damaris made this ill-judged excursion across the river to the Bar.

Had she confided her intention to me, I should have used my authority and forbade her.

But recently we have not been, I grieve to say, on altogether satisfactory terms, and our parting yesterday was constrained, I am afraid." Theresa blushed and swallowed.

Fortunately her sense of humour was limited; but, even so, she could not but be aware of a dangerous decline.
Not only of bathos, but of vulgar bathos, from which gentility revolted, must she be the exponent, thanks to Damaris' indiscretion! "You require me to give you the details, Sir Charles," she resumed, "and although it is both embarrassing and repugnant to me to do so, I obey.

I fear Damaris so far forgot herself--forgot I mean what is due to her age and position--as to remove her shoes and stockings and paddle in the sea--a most unsuitable and childish occupation.