It was given, personally, after the breakfast, and it is not always easy to decline invitations so given.

It may, I think, be doubted whether any man or woman has a right to give an invitation in this way, and whether all invitations so given should not be null and void, from the fact of the unfair advantage that has been taken.

The man who fires at a sitting bird is known to be no sportsman.
Now, the dinner-giver who catches his guest in an unguarded moment, and bags him when he has had no chance to rise upon his wing, does fire at a sitting bird.

In this instance, however, Lady Clavering's little speeches were made only to Mrs.Clavering and to Florence.

She said nothing personally to the rector, and he therefore might have escaped.
But his wife talked him over.
"I think you should go for Harry's sake," said Mrs.Clavering.
"I don't see what good it will do Harry." "It will show that you approve of the match." "I don't approve or disapprove of it.