I have done myself an injury that is quite irretrievable;--I know that, and am prepared to bear it.

I have done him, too, an injustice which I regret with my whole heart.

I can only excuse myself by saying that I might have done him a worse injustice." All this was said at the very moment of her arrival, and the greeting did not seem to promise much for the happiness of the next month; but perhaps it was better for them both that the attack and the defence should thus be made suddenly, at their first meeting.

It is better to pull the string at once when you are in the shower-bath, and not to stand shivering, thinking of the inevitable shock which you can only postpone for a few minutes.

Lady Macleod in this case had pulled the string, and thus reaped the advantage of her alacrity.
"Well, my dear," said her ladyship, "I suppose you will like to go up-stairs and take off your bonnet.