Of one thing he speedily became aware, namely, that Mr.
Alfred Waltham was so very much in his own house that it was not wholly safe to regard his demeanour as exemplary.

Another point well certified was that if any person in the world could be pointed to as an unassailable pattern of comely behaviour that person was Mr.Alfred Waltham's sister.

Richard observed Adela as closely as good manners would allow.
Talking little as yet--the young man at the head of the table gave others every facility for silence--Richard could occupy his thought in many directions.

Among other things, he instituted a comparison between the young lady who sat opposite to him and someone--not a young lady, it is true, but of the same sex and about the same age.

He tried to imagine Emma Vine seated at this table; the effort resulted in a disagreeable warmth in the lobes of his ears.