In manner, Katie had been more childish even than them, and yet--Mrs.Woodward, as she thought of these things, felt her heart faint within her.
She was resolved that, cost what it might, Charley must be banished from the Cottage.

But at the first word of assumed displeasure that she uttered, Katie fell into such an agony of grief that her soft heart gave way, and she found herself obliged to promise that the sinner should be forgiven.

Katie the while was entirely unconscious of the state of her own feelings.

Had she thought that she loved him as women love, had any thought of such love and of him together even entered her mind, she could not have talked of him as she now talked.

Had he been her brother, she could not have been less guarded in her protestations of affection, or more open in her appeals to her mother that he might be forgiven.