Old Trendellsohn had told her that such a marriage on his son's part would bring him into great trouble; and old Trendellsohn was not harsh with her as her aunt was harsh.

The old man, in his own communications with her, had always been kind and forbearing.

And then Anton himself was severe to her.

Though he would now and again say some dear, well-to-be-remembered happy word, as when he told her that she was his sun, and that he looked to her for warmth and light, such soft speakings were few with him and far between.
And then he never mentioned any time as the probable date of their marriage.

If only a time could be fixed, let it be ever so distant, Nina thought that she could still endure all the cutting taunts of her enemies.