"No very formidable persons, either of them," he added merrily, as the best way of making apology for Lilian's too obvious tremor.
But she conquered her weakness.

The man was of no account to her; upon the woman only her eyes were fixed, for _there_ was the piercing scrutiny, the quick divination, the merciless censure--there, if anywhere, in one of her own sex.

From men she might expect tolerance, justice; from women only a swift choice between the bowl and the dagger.

Pride prompted her to hardihood, and when she had well looked upon Mrs.Liversedge's face a soothing confidence came to the support of desperation.

She saw the frank fairness of Denzil's lineaments softened with the kindest of female smiles; a gaze keen indeed, but ingenuous as that of a child; an expression impossible to be interpreted save as that of heartfelt welcome, absolutely unsuspecting, touched even with admiring homage.
They kissed each other, and Lilian's face glowed.