Then, of course, she presented it to him.

I don't see why that should expose her to remarks." "One can't help making remarks about Alicia," said Lady Niton, calmly, "and she can defend herself so well." "Poor Alicia!" "Confess you wouldn't like Oliver to marry her." "Oliver never had any thought of it." Lady Niton shook her queer gray head.
"Oliver paid her a good deal of attention last summer.

Alicia must certainly have considered the matter.

And she is a young lady not easily baffled." "Baffled!" Mrs.Fotheringham laughed.

"What can she do ?" "Well, it's true that Oliver seems to have got another idea in his head.
What do you think of that pretty child who came yesterday--the Mallory girl ?" Mrs.Fotheringham hesitated, then said, coldly: "I don't like discussing these things.