It happened, however, that she was as jealous of the winds of Lymport as the Major himself; as vigilant in debarring them from access to the brewery as now the Countess could have been.

We are not dissecting human nature suffice it, therefore, from a mere glance at the surface, to say, that just as moneyed men are careful of their coin, women who have all the advantages in a conjunction, are miserly in keeping them, and shudder to think that one thing remains hidden, which the world they move in might put down pityingly in favour of their spouse, even though to the little man 'twere naught.

She assumed that a revelation would diminish her moral stature; and certainly it would not increase that of her husband.

So no good could come of it.

Besides, Andrew knew, his whole conduct was a tacit admission, that she had condescended in giving him her hand.