She only looked across at her husband to see how he felt on the matter.
"I think," said the master with a comical twinkling in his eye, "that no society is half so good or so pleasant as our own." Christian looked puzzled a minute, but afterward smiled gratefully.
"We may decline it, then ?" "Should you like it best ?" "I should, indeed." For, somehow, though she did not shrink from her new life--that strange, perplexing life for which her sense of duty was making her every day more strong--she did shrink from the outward shows of it.

To be stared at by cold, sharp, Avonsbridge eyes, or pointed at as "the governess" whom Dr.Grey had married--worse, perhaps, as Edward Oakley's daughter, the Edward Oakley whose failings every body knew--"Yes," she added, quickly, "I would much rather decline." "Decline! when I have taken so much trouble--bought a new dress expressly for these parties! They are bridal parties, Mrs.Grey, given for you, meant to welcome you into Society.

Society always does it, except when the marriage is one to be ashamed of ?" Christian started; the hot flush which now twenty times a day was beginning to burn in her once pale cheek, burnt there now; but she restrained herself, for the children sat there--Letitia, preternaturally sharp, and noticing every thing; Arthur, who rarely spoke except to say something rude; and also the children's father.
Christian sought his eyes; she was convinced he had heard and understood every word.

But still it had not affected him, except to a wistful watchfulness of herself, so tender that her indignation sank down.
"Shall I wait till to-morrow before I write?
Perhaps, Dr.Grey, after all, it would be as well for us to accept these invitations ?" "Perhaps," said he, and said no more.

There was no need.