It would not take me long to pack my books and other treasures: some of them I should be obliged to leave behind, but I must take all Charlie's books and my own, and my favourite pictures and bits of china, and a store of fine linen for my own use.

I was somewhat demoralised by the luxury at Hyde Park Gate, and liked to make myself comfortable after my own way.

Poor Charlie used to laugh at me and say I should be an old maid, and, as I considered this fact inevitable, I took his teasing in good part.
I told Uncle Max that I thought I could be ready in another week, and that I saw no good in delay.

He assented to this, and was kind enough to add that the sooner I came the better.

I was a little dismayed to find that he had not considered himself bound to keep my counsel; he had talked about my plan to his curate, Mr.Tudor, and I gathered from his manner, for he refused to tell me any more, that he had discussed it with another person.
This was too bad, but I would not let him see that this vexed me.