She could not shut her eyes to certain disturbing facts, amongst which were the existence of Lady Arabella and her growing intimacy with Edgar Caswall; as well as his own cold and haughty nature, so little in accord with the ardour which is the foundation of a young maid's dreams of happiness.

How things would, of necessity, alter if she were to marry, she was afraid to think.

All told, the prospect was not happy for her, and she had a secret longing that something might occur to upset the order of things as at present arranged.
When Lilla received a note from Edgar Caswall asking if he might come to tea on the following afternoon, her heart sank within her.

If it was only for her father's sake, she must not refuse him or show any disinclination which he might construe into incivility.

She missed Mimi more than she could say or even dared to think.