Kit's innocent suggestion had startled her out of her maidenly unconsciousness.

It was such a strange thing to say.

It was so terrible that people could think such things, and that Malcolm should only laugh as though he were amused.

Somehow that laugh seemed to hurt her more than anything.
Malcolm was quite aware of the girl's discomposure; his gentlemanly instincts were never at fault.

He knew that many of his mother's friends often hinted that his position with regard to her adopted daughter must be somewhat difficult.