They spoke of trifles.
When they were some distance from the house, Egremont said: 'So you see I have at last found my work.

If you thought of me at all, I dare say my life seemed to you a very useless one, and little likely to lead to anything.' 'No, I had not that thought, Mr.Egremont,' she answered simply.

'I felt sure that you were preparing yourself for something worthy.' 'I hope that is the meaning of these years that have gone so quickly.
But it was not conscious preparation.

It has often seemed to me that in travelling and gaining experience I was doing all that life demanded of me.

Few men can be more disposed to idle dreaming than I am.