And even her acquaintance with Miss Anthony was only a cottage-door, a village-street acquaintance.

Carleon Anthony was a tremendous aristocrat (his father had been a "restoring" architect) and his daughter was not allowed to associate with anyone but the county young ladies.
Nevertheless in defiance of the poet's wrathful concern for undefiled refinement there were some quiet, melancholy strolls to and fro in the great avenue of chestnuts leading to the park-gate, during which Mrs.de Barral came to call Miss Anthony 'my dear'-- and even 'my poor dear.' The lonely soul had no one to talk to but that not very happy girl.

The governess despised her.

The housekeeper was distant in her manner.
Moreover Mrs.de Barral was no foolish gossiping woman.

But she made some confidences to Miss Anthony.