It was like a flower closing, or a light blown out.
Mrs.Mulholland thought--"She has lost a father and a mother within a year, and I have reminded her.

I am a cruel, clumsy wretch." And thenceforward she roared so gently that Miss Wenlock, who never said a malicious thing herself, and was therefore entirely dependent on Sarah Mulholland's tongue for the salt of life, felt herself cheated of her usual Sunday entertainment.

For there were few Sundays in term-time when Mrs.Mulholland did not "drop in" for tea and talk at Beaumont before going on to the Cathedral service.
But under the gentleness, Constance opened again, and expanded.

Mrs.
Mulholland seemed to watch her with increasing kindness.

At last, she said abruptly-- "I have already heard of you from two charming young men." Constance opened a pair of conscious eyes.