In childhood she had told falsehoods freely, but with the necessity for that kind of thing the habit had fallen away.

Solace, however, was at hand, for the German girl looked at her with a new interest, a new sympathy, which Alma readily construed as wonder and admiration, if not gentle envy.

To have refused an offer of marriage from a handsome man of great wealth might be counted for glory.

And Alma's momentary shame yielded to a gratification which put her outwardly at ease.
The restless night brought torment of the mind and harassed spirits.
Redgrave's proposal echoed in the vacant chambers of her life, sounding no longer an affront, but an allurement.

Why, indeed, had she repelled it so unthinkingly?
It did not necessarily mean scandal.