For all this, their acquaintance, nay their intimacy, grew.

If ever eyes habitually expressed a self-respecting frankness, if ever any were incapable of ignoble artifice, they were Emily's; yet as time went on Wilfrid began to long for the casual meeting with her glance for the mere reason that he felt it as an exchange of words between her and himself.

Thus it was that, when at length the first real conversation came, it seemed the sequel of many others, seemed so to both of them.

They had divined each other; speech did but put the seal of confirmation on knowledge gained by mutual sympathy.
It may be presumed that neither Mr.Athel nor Mrs.Rossall was altogether regardless of possibilities suggested by the abiding beneath the same roof of an impetuous young man, forced into idleness, and a girl who was above the average in mental endowments, whilst, on the whole, she might be considered interesting in appearance.

They exchanged no remark on the subject; it was scarcely likely they should; but during the first few weeks both were observant.