Deadlier still were Mrs.Palmer's phrases: "a pushing sort of girl," "a very pushing little person," and "used to be a bit TOO conspicuous, in fact." But she spoke placidly and by chance; being as obviously without unkindly motive as Mr.Palmer was when he related the cause of Alfred Lamb's amusement.
Her opinion of the obscure young lady momentarily her topic had been expressed, moreover, to her husband, and at her own table.

She sat there, large, kind, serene--a protest might astonish but could not change her; and Russell, crumpling in his strained fingers the lace-edged little web of a napkin on his knee, found heart enough to grow red, but not enough to challenge her.
She noticed his colour, and attributed it to the embarrassment of a scrupulously gallant gentleman caught in a lapse of attention to a lady.
"Don't be disturbed," she said, benevolently.

"People aren't expected to listen all the time to their relatives.

A high colour's very becoming to you, Arthur; but it really isn't necessary between cousins.

You can always be informal enough with us to listen only when you care to." His complexion continued to be ruddier than usual, however, throughout the meal, and was still somewhat tinted when Mrs.Palmer rose.