There had prevailed during the whole two hours a general though unexpressed conviction that something worthy of remark had happened that morning.

It had an effect even upon the curate's reading; and the incumbent, while preaching his sermon, could not keep his eyes off that wonderful bonnet and veil.
On the next morning, before eleven, Mrs Greenow's name was put down at the Assembly Room.

"I need hardly say that in my present condition I care nothing for these things.

Of course I would sooner be alone.
But, my dear Kate, I know what I owe to you." Kate, with less intelligence than might have been expected from one so clever, began to assure her aunt that she required no society; and that, coming thus with her to the seaside in the early days of her widowhood, she had been well aware that they would live retired.
But Mrs Greenow soon put her down, and did so without the slightest feeling of shame or annoyance on her own part.

"My dear," she said, "in this matter you must let me do what I know to be right.