It was shocking, it was wrong (she mentally admitted) to look on Mercy, under the circumstances, with any other eye than the eye of a brother or a friend.

In a clergyman (perhaps) doubly shocking, doubly wrong.

But, with all her respect for the vested interests of Horace, Lady Janet could not blame Julian.

Worse still, she was privately conscious that he had, somehow or other, risen, rather than fallen, in her estimation within the last minute or two.

Who could deny that her adopted daughter was a charming creature?
Who could wonder if a man of refined tastes admired her?
Upon the whole, her ladyship humanely decided that her nephew was rather to be pitied than blamed.