I suppose it would be too difficult for anybody to get both the truth and the rhyme to fit in, and so the truth has to be somewhat adapted.

But about Mr.Thornley, my love; you don't think that he and Felicia are at all interested in one another ?" "Good gracious, no! I'm sure they are not.

If they had been, I should have spotted it and talked about it ages ago." "I hope you are not given to talk about such things, even if you do perceive them," said Mrs.Herbert, with reproof in her tone; "talking scandal is a sad habit." "But it isn't scandal to say that a man is in love with a woman--in fact, it is the very opposite.

It is much worse scandal never to talk about a woman in that way, because that means that you think she is either too old or too ugly to have a lover, and that is the worst scandal of all.

I always feel immensely tickled when I hear women pluming themselves on the fact that they never get talked about; and I long to say to them, 'There is nothing to be proud of in that, my dears; it only means that the world is tacitly calling you stupid old frights.' Why, I'd rather people found fault with me than did not talk about me at all." "Then I am afraid you are not 'content to fill a little space,'" said Mrs.Herbert severely.
"To tell you the truth I don't think I am," replied Elisabeth, with engaging frankness; "conceit is my besetting sin and I know it.