I may have been a little out of spirits sometimes in my husband's absence; but that is all.

I shall begin to think that you really do want to get rid of me, Nell, say what you will." "That's a pretty thing, when you know that I love you as dearly as if you were my sister; to say nothing of father, who makes a profit by your being here, and would be fine and angry with me for interfering.

No, Mrs.
Holbrook; it's your own happiness I'm thinking of, and nothing else.

And I do say that it's a shame for a pretty young woman like you to be shut up in a lonely old farm-house while your husband is away, enjoying himself goodness knows where; and when he is here, I can't see that he's very good company, considering that he spends the best part of his time--" The girl stopped abruptly, warned by a look from Marian.

Gilbert saw this look, and wondered what revelation of Mr.Holbrook's habits the bailiff's daughter had been upon the point of making; he was so eager to learn something of this man, and had been so completely baffled in all his endeavours hitherto.
"I will not have my affairs talked about in this foolish way, Ellen Carley," Marian said resolutely.
And then they all three sat down to the dinner-table.