His cold blood began to simmer, heated by an all-pervading glow of flattered self-esteem.
"My niece's motives for concealment are plain enough," Mrs.Gallilee proceeded.

"Let me hope that she was ashamed to confess the total want of taste, delicacy, and good manners which has so justly offended you.
Miss Minerva, however, has no excuse for keeping me in the dark.

Her conduct, in this matter, offers, I regret to say, one more instance of her habitual neglect of the duties which attach to her position in my house.

There seems to be some private understanding between my governess and my niece, of which I highly disapprove.

However, the subject is too distasteful to dwell on.