Even Christian--quiet as her temper was, and strong her resolution to keep peace, at any price which cost nobody any thing excepting herself--was roused at last.
"Miss Gascoigne," she said, and her eyes blazed and her whole figure dilated, "when your brother married me, he did it of his own free choice.

He loved me.

Whatever I was, he loved me.

And whatever I may be now, I at least know his dignity and my own too well to submit to be spoken to, or spoken of, in this manner.

It is not of the slightest moment to me who among your acquaintances criticises myself or my marriage, only I beg to be spared the information afterward.