"You do not, I think quite follow my question.

I did not ask for the servants' account of the events of yesterday--whatever those events may have been--but for your own." "Ah! it is so unfortunate, so exceedingly unfortunate," Theresa broke out, literally wringing her hands, "but a contingency, an accident, which I could not possibly have foreseen--I cannot but blame Damaris, Sir Charles"-- "Indeed ?" he said.
"No, truly I cannot but blame her for wilfulness.

If she had consented--as I so affectionately urged--to join the choir treat to Harchester, this painful incident would have been spared us." "Am I to understand that you went to Harchester, leaving my daughter here alone ?" "Her going would have given so much pleasure in the parish," Theresa pursued, dodging the question with the ingenuity of one who scents mortal danger.

"Her refusal would, I knew, cause sincere disappointment.

I could not bring myself to accentuate that disappointment.