If she had felt and acted toward me like a sister I would have been loyal to her, and would have compelled even Miss Wildmere to recognize her rights.

I am not so far gone but that I can act in a straightforward, honorable way.

My acceptance of her action was an afterthought, a philosophical way I have of making the best of everything.

I now believe that it has turned out for the best, but I have been guilty of no coldblooded calculation.

Very well, I'll treat her as a simple, natural girl and my very good friend, and see how this course works.
Not that she is a simple girl.