I must, therefore, beg that hereafter all familiar intercourse may cease between us; and if I still continue to treat you with civility, as if you were a woman worthy of consideration and respect, understand that it is out of regard for your cousin Milicent's feelings, not for yours.' Upon perusing this she turned scarlet, and bit her lip.

Covertly tearing away the leaf, she crumpled it up and put it in the fire, and then employed herself in turning over the pages of the book, and, really or apparently, perusing its contents.

In a little while Milicent announced it her intention to repair to the nursery, and asked if I would accompany her.
'Annabella will excuse us,' said she; 'she's busy reading.' 'No, I won't,' cried Annabella, suddenly looking up, and throwing her book on the table; 'I want to speak to Helen a minute.

You may go, Milicent, and she'll follow in a while.' (Milicent went.) 'Will you oblige me, Helen ?' continued she.
Her impudence astounded me; but I complied, and followed her into the library.

She closed the door, and walked up to the fire.
'Who told you this ?' said she.
'No one: I am not incapable of seeing for myself.' 'Ah, you are suspicious!' cried she, smiling, with a gleam of hope.
Hitherto there had been a kind of desperation in her hardihood; now she was evidently relieved.
'If I were suspicious,' I replied, 'I should have discovered your infamy long before.