He was perhaps of Lady Charlotte's mind with regard to the existence of a Countess of Ormont, or he would know her to be incredibly cowardly.
Cowardly under the boast of pride, too; well, then, say, if you like, a woman! Yet this mere shallow woman would not hesitate to meet the terrible Lady Charlotte at any instant, on any terms: and what are we to think of a soldier, hero, lion, dreading to tell her to her face that the persecuted woman is his wife! 'Am I a woman they can be ashamed of ?' she asked, and did not seek the answer at her mirror.

She was in her bedroom, and she put out a hand to her jewel-box, fingered it, found it locked, and abandoned her idle project.

A gentleman was 'dangerous.' She had not found him so.

He had the reputation, perhaps, because he was earnest.

Not so very many men are earnest.