It may be as well to say at once that she never forgave Mr Crosbie the freedom of the expression which he had used.

He had been in the drawing-room of Guestwick Manor for two minutes only, and it did not become him to talk about dragons.

"Bernard," she said, "I heard from your mother yesterday.

I am afraid she does not seem to be very strong." And then there was a little conversation, not very interesting in its nature, between the aunt and the nephew as to the general health of Lady Fanny.
"I didn't know my aunt was so unwell," said Bell.
"She isn't ill," said Bernard.

"She never is ill; but then she is never well." "Your aunt," said Lady Julia, seeming to put a touch of sarcasm into the tone of her voice as she repeated the word,--"your aunt has never enjoyed good health since she left this house; but that is a long time ago." "A very long time," said Crosbie, who was not accustomed to be left in his chair silent.