Really, she had such a pleasant voice that her limitless flow of words might well be pardoned, even enjoyed.
"Lady Honeybourne and I have been talking about the condition of the poor.

She has capital ideas, but not much experience.

Of course I am able to speak with some authority: I saw so much of the poor at Northampton." Once or twice Dymchurch had heard mention of Northampton in May's talk, but his extreme discretion had withheld him from putting a question on the subject.

Catching his look, she saw inquiry in it.
"You know that I lived at Northampton, before I made my home at Rivenoak?
Oh, I thought that I had told you all about that." Acting on her aunt's counsel, approved by Mrs.Toplady, May was careful not to let it be perceived by casual acquaintances that, until a month ago, she had been an absolute stranger to her titled relative.

At the same time, it was necessary to avoid any appearance of mystery, and people were given to understand that she had passed some years with her family in the midland town.
"And what work did you take part in ?" asked her companion.
"It was a scheme of my own, mainly educational.