It was a step-by-step advance, and all through an enemy's country.

Still, she had advanced, and might go on to the end, if she only had strength and patience.
"Hush! I hear Miss Gascoigne at the door.

Please go and speak to her.
Don't let her see I have been crying." Of this, happily, there was little fear, Miss Gascoigne being too much absorbed in her own appearance, which really was very fine.

Her black satin rustled, her black lace fell airily, and her whole figure was that of a handsome, well-preserved, middle-aged gentlewoman.

So pleased was she with herself that she was pleasant to every one else; and when, half an hour after, Dr.Grey entered the reception-rooms of St.Mary's Lodge with his wife on one arm and his sister on the other, any spectator would have said, how very nice they all looked; what a fortunate man he was, and what a happy family must be the family at Saint Bede's.
And, to her own surprise, when her first bewilderment was over, Christian really did feel happy.