You want a woman with plenty of common sense as well as uncommon ability; the kind of woman that'll keep you going steadily--up--up! Do you understand me ?" The effort with which she spoke was terrible.

Her face began to shine with moisture, and her mouth seemed to be parched.

Lashmar must have been of much sterner stuff for these vehement and rough-cut sentences to make no impression upon him; he was held by the dark, fierce eye, and felt in his heart that he had heard truths.
"And mind this," continued Lady Ogram, leaning towards him.
"Constance's marriage alters nothing in what I had planned for her before I knew you.

She'll have her duties quite apart from your interests and all you aim at.

I know her; I'm not afraid to trust her, even when she's married.