I had furnished her with the reason.

Thus far, I cannot deny it, my stepmother was equal to herself.
"Really, Gerard, you are so violent in your opinions that I am sorry I spoke of Lady Rachel.

Shall I find you equally prejudiced, and equally severe, if I change the subject to dear Lady Lena?
Oh, don't say you think She is false, too!" Here Mrs.Roylake made her first mistake.

She over-acted her part; and, when it was too late, she arrived, I suspect, at that conclusion herself.
"If you hav'n't seen that I sincerely admire Lady Lena," I said, as smartly as I could, "the sooner you disfigure yourself with a pair of spectacles, my dear lady, the better.

She is very pretty, perfectly unaffected, and, if I may presume to judge, delightfully well-bred and well-dressed." My stepmother's face actually brightened with pleasure.