She would din it into his ears, let him come to her as often as he might with his wise words.

Wise words! What was the use of wise words when a man was such a fool in nature?
And as for Colonel Osborne,--she would see him if he came to her three times a day, unless her husband gave some clearly intelligible order to the contrary.

She was fortifying her mind with this resolution when Colonel Osborne's letter was brought to her.

She asked whether any servant was waiting for an answer.

No,--the servant, who had left it, had gone at once.
She read the note, and sat working, with it before her, for a quarter of an hour; and then walked over to her desk and answered it.
MY DEAR COLONEL OSBORNE, It will be best to say nothing whatever about the occurrence of yesterday; and if possible, not to think of it.