There are times, Mr Somerset, when the human creature feels no interest in his kind, and assumes that his kind feels no interest in him.

The feeling is not active enough to make him fly from their presence; but sufficient to keep him silent if he happens to be away.

I may not have described it precisely; but this I know, that after my long illness, and the fancied neglect of my letters--' 'For which my father was not to blame, since he did not receive them,' said Paula.
'For which nobody was to blame--after that, I say, I wrote no more.' 'You have much pleasure in returning at last, no doubt,' said Somerset.
'Sir, as I remained away without particular pain, so I return without particular joy.

I speak the truth, and no compliments.

I may add that there is one exception to this absence of feeling from my heart, namely, that I do derive great satisfaction from seeing how mightily this young woman has grown and prevailed.' This address, though delivered nominally to Somerset, was listened to by Paula, Mrs.Goodman, and De Stancy also.