She had nothing to fear from the opinion of the fashionable world.

Robert knew that she was looked upon with respect by people in society.

But he was continually dreading that, in speaking of her, Felicie might fail to do so with all the needful reserve.

He feared lest, not being in society, she might say that which had better have been left unsaid.

He was wrong; Felicie knew nothing of the private life of Madame de Ligny; moreover, had she known of it, she would not have blamed her.