And that's how it stands, you see.' By a rapid calculation Emmeline discovered; with surprise, that Mrs.
Higgins could not be much more than forty years of age.

It must have been a life of gross self-indulgence that had made the woman look at least ten years older.

This very undesirable parentage naturally affected Emmeline's opinion of Louise, whose faults began to show in a more pronounced light.

One thing was clear: but for the fact that Louise aimed at a separation from her relatives, it would be barely possible to think of receiving her.

If Mrs.Higgins thought of coming down to Sutton at unexpected moments--no, that was too dreadful.
'Should you wish, Mrs.Higgins, to entrust your daughter to me entirely ?' 'My dear Mrs.Rumford, it's very little that _my_ wishes has to do with it! She's made up her mind to leave 'ome, and all I can do is to see she gets with respectable people, which I feel sure you are; and of course I shall have your references.' Emmeline turned pale at the suggestion.