I do not read novels as a rule, but I dipped into a few, studying the love scenes, and the preliminary approaches to love scenes in order to aid my inexperience at this juncture.

I am sorry to say I fell into the error that he might possibly reciprocate the growing interest I felt in him, in spite of the great disparity in age.

It was a mistake.

I have suffered for it." The two roses of Bessie's cheeks bloomed on as unflinchingly as ever.
Magdalen's eyes were fixed on her own hands.
"You would not have suited each other if he had cared for you," she said after a moment, "for you would not have done him justice when you got to know him better, any more than you do Fay justice now that you _do_ know her better.

Wentworth is made of words, just as other men are made of flesh and blood.