She was indeed so bewildered by these strangers that she could hardly ascertain whom her aunt had really known before, and whom she now saw for the first time.

Somebody had known somebody who had known somebody else, and that was allowed to be a sufficient introduction,--always presuming that the existing somebody was backed by some known advantages of money or position.

Mrs Greenow could smile from beneath her widow's cap in a most bewitching way.

"Upon my word then she is really handsome," Kate wrote one day to Alice.

But she could also frown, and knew well how to put aside, or, if need be, to reprobate any attempt at familiarity from those whose worldly circumstances were supposed to be disadvantageous.
"My dear aunt," said Kate one morning after their walk upon the pier, "how you did snub that Captain Bellfield!" "Captain Bellfield, indeed! I don't believe he's a captain at all.