She was never quite sure in her own mind as to the way in which "old Gold-Dust," as she privately called him, regarded her.

An aged man, burdened with an excess of wealth, was privileged to have what are called "humours," and certainly he sometimes had them.

It was necessary--or so Mrs.Sorrel thought--to deal with him delicately and cautiously--neither with too much levity, nor with an overweighted seriousness.

One's plan of conduct with a multi-millionaire required to be thought out with sedulous care, and entered upon with circumspection.
And Mrs Sorrel did not attempt even as much as a youthful giggle at Helmsley's half-sarcastically implied compliment with its sarcastic implication as to the ease with which she supported her years and superabundance of flesh tissue.

She merely heaved a short sigh.
"I was just one year younger than Lucy is to-day," she said, "and I really thought myself quite an _old_ bride! I was a mother at twenty-one." Helmsley found nothing to say in response to this interesting statement, particularly as he had often heard it before.
"Who is Lucy dancing with ?" he asked irrelevantly, by way of diversion.
"Oh, my _dear_ Mr.Helmsley, who is she _not_ dancing with!" and Mrs.
Sorrel visibly swelled with maternal pride.