"Dear Mrs.
Woodville," he said, as he softly laid my hand back on my lap, "bear with an old fellow who worships your enchanting sex.

You really brighten this dull house.

It is _such_ a pleasure to see you!" There was no need for the old gentleman to make his little confession.
Women, children, and dogs proverbially know by instinct who the people are who really like them.

The women had a warm friend--perhaps at one time a dangerously warm friend--in Major Fitz-David.

I knew as much of him as that before I had settled myself in my chair and opened my lips to answer him.
"Thank you, Major, for your kind reception and your pretty compliment," I said, matching my host's easy tone as closely as the necessary restraints on my side would permit.