Under the flickering gas light in the hall (they were still suspicious of the effect of electricity on Mr.Culpeper's eyes) her face looked grimly determined, as if an indomitable purpose had moulded every feature and traced every line in some thin plastic substance.
"I have set my heart on this, Stephen." At this he laughed aloud with an indecorous mirth.

In spite of her instincts and traditions how lacking in feminine finesse, how utterly without subtlety of method she was! She had stood always for the unconquerable will in the fragile body, and she had used to the utmost her two strong weapons of obstinacy and weakness.

He did not know whether the dread of being nagged or the fear of hurting her had influenced him most; and when he looked back he could recall only a series of ineffectual efforts at evasion or denial.

It is true that he had once adored her--that he still loved her--but it was a love, like his father's, which was forbearing but never free, which was always furtive and a little ashamed of its own weakness.

Ever since he could remember she had triumphed over their inclinations, their convictions, and even their appetites, for they had eaten only what she thought good for them.