Before coming to London, it would have been impossible for her to phrase a thought thus, and so utter it.

That easy superciliousness smacked not at all of provincial breeding.
"On the whole, I think so," was Mrs.Toplady's modulated reply.

"He has very striking ideas.

How odd that somebody else should have hit upon his theory of civilisation! He ought to have written a book, as I told him." "But suppose," suggested May, with some uneasiness, "that he knew about that French book ?" "Oh, my dear, we can't suppose that! Besides, we haven't read the book.
It may really be quite different in its tendency from Mr.Lashmar's view." "I don't see how it _can_ be, Mrs.Toplady.Judging from those quotations, and the article, it's Mr.Lashmar from beginning to end." "Then it's a most curious case of coincidence.

Poor Mr.Lashmar will naturally be vexed.