She sat to artists, as any lady might sit to any artist, "for the head only." Her parents gained a bare subsistence by farming their own little morsel of land; they were honest people--and what did brother Robert care for rank?
His own grandfather had been a farmer.
Lady Northlake and Mrs.Gallilee felt it due to themselves to hold a consultation, on the subject of their sister-in-law.

Was it desirable, in their own social interests, to cast Robert off from that moment?
Susan (previously advised by her kind-hearted husband) leaned to the side of mercy.

Robert's letter informed them that he proposed to live, and die, in Italy.

If he held to this resolution, his marriage would surely be an endurable misfortune to his relatives in London.

"Suppose we write to him," Susan concluded, "and say we are surprised, but we have no doubt he knows best.