'I wish to goodness Catherine wouldn't think so much about mine, at any rate.
I hate,' added this incorrigible young person, 'I hate being the third part of a "moral obstacle" against my will.

I declare I don't believe we should any of us go to perdition even if Catherine did marry.

And what a wretch I am to think so after last night! Oh, dear, I wish she'd let me do something for her; I wish she'd ask me to black her boots for her, or put in her tuckers, or tidy her drawers for her, or anything worse still, and I'd do it and welcome!' It was getting uncomfortably serious all round, Rose admitted.

But there was one element of comedy besides Mrs.Thornburgh, and that was Mrs.
Leyburn's unconsciousness.
'Mamma, is too good,' thought the girl, with a little ripple of laughter.

'She takes it as a matter of course that all the world should admire us, and she'd scorn to believe that anybody did it from interested motives.' Which was perfectly true.