Perhaps she might fail in other things because she was not clever.

Perhaps she was never able to give to people what they wanted, what they needed.

A brilliant woman had such power to gain and hold love.
After an hour or so spent in trying to raise the mental temperature of Mrs.Osborn's beflowered boudoir, she rose and picked up her little work-basket.
"Perhaps you would take a nap if I left you," she said.

"I think I will stroll down to the lake." She quietly stole away, leaving Hester on her cushions..