But still she was an invalid.

The doctor declared that she had never quite recovered from her fall into the river, and prescribed quiet and cod-liver oil.

All the truth about the Chiswick fete and the five hours' dancing, and the worn-out shoes, was not told to him, or he might, perhaps, have acquitted the water-gods of the injury.
Nor was it all, perhaps, told to Mrs.Woodward.
'I'm afraid she tired herself at the ball,' said Mrs.Woodward.
'I think she did a little,' said Linda.
'Did she dance much ?' said Mrs.Woodward, looking anxiously.
'She did dance a good deal,' said Linda.
Mrs.Woodward was too wise to ask any further questions.
As it was a fine night Alaric had declared his intention of walking home from Mrs.Val's party, and he and Charley started together.

They soon parted on their roads, but not before Alaric had had time to notice Charley's perverse stupidity as to Miss Golightly.
'So you wouldn't take my advice about Clementina ?' said he.
'It was quite impossible, Alaric,' said Charley, in an apologetic voice.

'I couldn't do it, and, what is more, I am sure I never shall.' 'No, not now; you certainly can't do it now.