She undertook it, and utterly failed; and when Gertrude, in her disappointment, spoke bitterly of Norman's bitterness, both mother and sister, both Mrs.Woodward and Linda, took Norman's part.
'I wish it could be otherwise,' said Mrs.Woodward, 'I wish it for all our sakes; but he is a man not easily to be turned, and I cannot blame him.

He has suffered very much.' Gertrude became very red.

Her mother's words contained a reproach against herself, tacit and unintended indeed, but not the less keenly felt.
'I am not aware that Mr.Norman has any cause of just complaint,' she said, 'against any one, unless it be himself.

For the sake of charity and old associations we have wished that all ideas of injury should be forgiven and forgotten.

If he chooses still to indulge his rancour, he must do so.