They called to ask me to give Jasmine lessons in English composition, and I took a fancy to them, and, in particular, felt drawn to the little one--for she reminded me of--, but no matter! The girls have been in and out of my house ever since.
I saw that they were fearfully independent, but in many trivial ways I tried to help them.

Well, Arthur, it is most surprising--it is altogether incomprehensible, but never during the months we have been seeing each other daily have they alluded to you or the Ellsworthys.
They seemed perfectly unconstrained, and chatted many times of their cottage home in the country, but they never spoke of the Ellsworthys." "They would not be likely to do," answered Noel.

"I think, Miss Egerton, I must now tell you Mrs.Ellsworthy's and my side of the story." Certainly Miss Egerton appeared to neglect her duties that morning; fortunately, her school had not yet re-opened, but Bridget waited for orders, and the tradesman left the house unattended to.

Bridget knew that Miss Egerton was always greatly taken up with Mr.Noel, and she had to admit that he was a bonny-looking young man with a pleasant face; but Bridget hitherto had given her mistress credit for always putting duty before pleasure.

What, therefore, did her present neglect of household management mean?
Arthur Noel had a long story to tell, and Miss Egerton listened, weighing each point, and not giving too undue sympathy to either party.