I find that I cannot make poor Mr Gresham hem and haw and turn himself uneasily in his arm-chair in a natural manner till I have said why he is uneasy.

I cannot bring in my doctor speaking his mind freely among the bigwigs till I have explained that it is in accordance with his usual character to do so.

This is unartistic on my part, and shows want of imagination as well as want of skill.

Whether or not I can atone for these faults by straightforward, simple, plain story-telling--that, indeed, is very doubtful.
Dr Thorne belonged to a family in one sense as good, and at any rate as old, as that of Mr Gresham; and much older, he was apt to boast, than that of the de Courcys.

This trait in his character is mentioned first, as it was the weakness for which he was most conspicuous.