She remembered that in the unworthy past they had ever looked upon her with a large, gentle, affectionate tolerance, and she now took chiefly upon herself the blame for those years of weakness.

Her present radiant health and beauty proved how unnecessary they had been, and her heart sometimes sunk at the thought of what they might cost her.
Mary had accompanied her to her room, and was asked, in a careless tone, what had become of Miss Wildmere.
"I was told incidentally the other day that she was as great a belle as ever.

I had hoped that she would be out of Graydon's way before this time.

I have heard, however, that great belles are often slower in marrying than the homeliest girls.

If all is true that is said, this Miss Wildmere has made mischief enough; but I am not anxious that our Graydon should cut short her career--that is, if marriage would cut it short.