What struck her in the very beginning was a new mode of weighing human actions, and a quiet looking beneath the surface of things, and estimating all she saw by the quality within instead of by the appearance without.

From the first, Mrs.Dexter was strongly attracted by this lady; and it was a little remarkable that her husband was as strongly repelled.

He did not like her; and often spoke of her sneeringly as using an unknown tongue.

His wife contended with him slightly at first in regard to Mrs.De Lisle; but soon ceased to notice his captious remarks.
In Mrs.De Lisle, the struggling and suffering young creature had found a true friend--not true in the sense of a weakly, sympathizing friend, but more really true; one who could lift her soul up into purer regions, and help it to acquire strength for duty.
There was another lady named Mrs.Anthony who had insinuated herself into the good opinion of Mrs.Dexter, and partially, also, into her confidence.
It does not take a quick-sighted woman long to comprehend the true marital standing of the friend in whom she feels an interest.

Both Mrs.De Lisle and Mrs.Anthony soon discovered that no love was in the heart of Mrs.Dexter, and that consequently, no interior marriage existed.