The partner with the sour smile reminded his colleague satirically that I was a lady, and had therefore no reasons to give.

I only answered, "Be so good as to forward my letter, gentlemen," and left them.
I have no wish to claim any credit to myself in these pages which I do not honestly deserve.

The truth is that my pride forbade me to accept help from Eustace, now that he had left me.

My own little fortune (eight hundred a year) had been settled on myself when I married.

It had been more than I wanted as a single woman, and I was resolved that it should be enough for me now.