All was policy,--a policy akin to that of a grand party chief, determined to raise up those whom, for any reason of state, it was prudent to favour, and to put down those whom, for any reason of state, it was expedient to humble or to crush.
Ever since the controversy with Dr.Lloyd, this lady had honoured me with her benignest countenance; and nothing could be more adroit than the manner in which, while imposing me on others as an oracular authority, she sought to subject to her will the oracle itself.
She was in the habit of addressing me in a sort of motherly way, as if she had the deepest interest in my welfare, happiness, and reputation.
And thus, in every compliment, in every seeming mark of respect, she maintained the superior dignity of one who takes from responsible station the duty to encourage rising merit; so that, somehow or other, despite all that pride which made me believe that I needed no helping and to advance or to clear my way through the world, I could not shake off from my mind the impression that I was mysteriously patronized by Mrs.Colonel Poyntz.
We might have sat together five minutes, side by side in silence as complete as if in the cave of Trophonius--when without looking up from her work, Mrs.Poyntz said abruptly,-- "I am thinking about you, Dr.Fenwick.And you--are thinking about some other woman.

Ungrateful man!" "Unjust accusation! My very silence should prove how intently my thoughts were fixed on you, and on the weird web which springs under your hand in meshes that bewilder the gaze and snare the attention." Mrs.Poyntz looked up at me for a moment--one rapid glance of the bright red hazel eye--and said,-- "Was I really in your thoughts?
Answer truly." "Truly, I answer, you were." "That is strange! Who can it be ?" "Who can it be?
What do you mean ?" "If you were thinking of me, it was in connection with some other person,--some other person of my own sex.

It is certainly not poor dear Miss Brabazon.

Who else can it be ?" Again the red eye shot over me, and I felt my cheek redden beneath it.
"Hush!" she said, lowering her voice; "you are in love!" "In love!--I! Permit me to ask you why you think so ?" "The signs are unmistakable; you are altered in your manner, even in the expression of your face, since I last saw you; your manner is generally quiet and observant,--it is now restless and distracted; your expression of face is generally proud and serene,--it is now humbled and troubled.

You have something on your mind! It is not anxiety for your reputation,--that is established; nor for your fortune,--that is made; it is not anxiety for a patient or you would scarcely be here.