Whether she carried out her designs, I have never heard; but as I have not met her, or heard news of her up to this time, it is probable that she did.

There is no doubt that she was deeply attached to the Duke of Strelsau; and her conduct at the time of his death proved that no knowledge of the man's real character was enough to root her regard for him out of her heart.
I had one more battle left to fight--a battle that would, I knew, be severe, and was bound to end in my complete defeat.

Was I not back from the Tyrol, without having made any study of its inhabitants, institutions, scenery, fauna, flora, or other features?
Had I not simply wasted my time in my usual frivolous, good-for-nothing way?
That was the aspect of the matter which, I was obliged to admit, would present itself to my sister-in-law; and against a verdict based on such evidence, I had really no defence to offer.

It may be supposed, then, that I presented myself in Park Lane in a shamefaced, sheepish fashion.

On the whole, my reception was not so alarming as I had feared.