We won't talk of wretched things, will we?
If I could have been of any use to you----' 'I was so afraid you would never----' 'Oh, you know me better than that,' broke in Mrs.Carnaby, almost with cheerfulness, her countenance already throwing off the decorous shadow, like a cloak that had served its turn.

'I hope I am neither foolish nor worldly-minded.' 'Indeed, indeed not! You are goodness itself.' 'How is Mrs.Frothingham ?' The question was asked with infinite delicacy, head and body bent forward, eyes floatingly averted.
'Really ill, I'm afraid.

She has fainted several times--yesterday was unconscious for nearly half an hour.' Sibyl flinched.

Mention of physical suffering affected her most disagreeably; she always shunned the proximity of people in ill health, and a possibility of infection struck her with panic.
'Oh, I'm so sorry.

But it will pass over.' 'I hope so.