"It was not, perhaps, quite nice of you to say you hated us all.

At the same time we have forgotten our good breeding--and the least we can do is to beg your pardon." This expression of generous sentiment appeared to have an irritating effect on the peremptory young person who took the lead in the room.
Perhaps she disapproved of free trade in generous sentiment.
"I can tell you one thing, Cecilia," she said; "you shan't beat ME in generosity.

Strike a light, one of you, and lay the blame on me if Miss Ladd finds us out.

I mean to shake hands with the new girl--and how can I do it in the dark?
Miss de Sor, my name's Brown, and I'm queen of the bedroom.

I--not Cecilia--offer our apologies if we have offended you.
Cecilia is my dearest friend, but I don't allow her to take the lead in the room.