She was no longer satisfied with merely asserting herself as my equal.

Ascending another step on the social ladder, she took her stand on the platform of patronage, and charitably looked down on me as an object of pity.
"I have just returned from Broadstairs," she began.

"I hope you will do me the justice to believe that I sincerely regret what has happened." I bowed, and said nothing.
"As a gentlewoman myself," proceeded the landlady--"reduced by family misfortunes to let lodgings, but still a gentlewoman--I feel sincere sympathy with you.

I will even go further than that.

I will take it on myself to say that I don't blame _you_.