With the knowledge of these things in her mind how could she hope that George would be glad of the child that was coming to them in the autumn?
And yet to Mrs.Fowler the news had appeared to bring no additional anxiety.

She had seemed pleased rather than otherwise, mildly interested, animatedly sympathetic.
"I am afraid it will be very expensive," Gabriella had reminded her a little timidly, feeling frankly apologetic when she thought of all the trouble she must bring to the harassed and over-burdened little woman.
But into Mrs.Fowler's face there had come the look with which she was accustomed to receive the suggestion that her dinner parties were an extravagance.

That economy which she practised so rigidly, which was so elastic to cover little pleasures and the minor comforts of life, broke like a cobweb when she tried to stretch it over larger needs and desires.

The severity of her self-denial was directed entirely against the trivial and the unessential.

With regard to the indispensable materials for happiness, she seemed to feel that she possessed an unquestionable right to enjoy them at any cost; and she had reassured Gabriella with an optimism which appeared perfectly genuine.