That, this familiarity had taken place under the eyes of the doctor and the Senora only intensified the insult.

She might have forgiven clandestine meetings; but that the formalities due to the Church and herself should have been neglected was indeed unpardonable.
It soon became evident to the Senora that she had lost the good-will of her old friends, and the respect that had always been given to her social position.

It was difficult for her to believe this, and she only accepted the humiliating fact after a variety of those small insults which women reserve for their own sex.
She was fond of visiting; she valued the good opinion of her caste, and in the very chill of the gravest calamities she worried her strength away over little grievances lying outside the walls of her home and the real affections of her life.

And perhaps with perfect truth she asserted that SHE had done nothing to deserve this social ostracism.

Others had made her miserable, but she could thank the saints none could make her guilty.
The defeat of Cos had been taken by the loyal inhabitants as a mere preliminary to the real fight.