So he told it her before breakfast, walking round their little garden, she with her hand in his.
He was perfectly thunderstruck by the collected--nay, cool way in which she received his tidings.

She turned pale, indeed; he felt also that her hand somewhat trembled in his own, and he perceived that for a moment her voice shook; but no angry word escaped her lip, nor did she even deign to repudiate the charge, which was, as it were, conveyed in Lady Arabella's request.

The doctor knew, or thought he knew--nay, he did know--that Mary was wholly blameless in the matter: that she had at least given no encouragement to any love on the part of the young heir; but, nevertheless, he had expected that she would avouch her own innocence.

This, however, she by no means did.
"Lady Arabella is quite right," she said, "quite right; if she has any fear of that kind, she cannot be too careful." "She is a selfish, proud woman," said the doctor; "quite indifferent to the feelings of others; quite careless how deeply she may hurt her neighbours, if, in doing so, she may possibly benefit herself." "She will not hurt me, uncle, nor yet you.

I can live without going to Greshamsbury." "But it is not to be endured that she should dare to cast an imputation on my darling." "On me, uncle?
She casts no imputation on me.