It did not altogether harmonise with the tone of highly taught young women who rather prided themselves on freedom of thought, and to some extent of utterance.

Singular in one so far from cold-blooded, so abounding in vitality.

Towards men, her attitude seemed purely intellectual; no one had ever so much as suspected a warmer interest.

A hint of things forbidden with regard to any male acquaintance caused her to turn away, silent, austere.

That such things not seldom came to her hearing was a motive of troubled reflection, common enough in all intelligent girls who live in touch with the wider world.