Then Mrs.Greggory spoke slowly, a little sadly.
"I don't mind saying to you that I did hope, once, that there would be a romance there.

They were the best of friends, and they were well-suited to each other in tastes and temperament.

I think, indeed, that the romance was well under way (though there was never an engagement) when--" Mrs.Greggory paused and wet her lips.

Her voice, when she resumed, carried the stern note so familiar to Billy in her first acquaintance with this woman and her daughter.

"As I presume Mr.Arkwright has told you, we have met with many changes in our life--changes which necessitated a new home and a new mode of living.