Aunt Henrietta actually blushed.
"Chosen a governess?
Well, so we did! We were obliged to do it.

And you were so much occupied with Arthur.

Indeed, I must say," recovering herself from the defensive into the offensive position, "that the way you made yourself a perfect slave to that child, to the neglect of all your other duties, was--" "Never mind that now, please.

Just tell me about Miss Bennett.

When did she come, and how did you hear of her ?" She spoke quite gently, in mere inquiry; she was so anxious neither to give nor to take offense, if it could possibly be avoided.