It ought to have been as impossible to him as it was impossible to her to steal goods from a tradesman's counter.

Was it possible to serve God--and Roland professed to serve Him--yet cheat his fellow-men?
The service of God itself must then be a vanity--a mere bubble, like all the other bubbles of life.
It had never been her habit to speak out her thoughts, even to her husband.

Speech seemed an inefficient and blundering medium of communication, and she found it easier to write than to talk.

There was a natural taciturnity about her which sealed her lips, even when her children were prattling to her.

Only in writing could she give expression to the multitude of her thoughts within her; and her letters were charming, and of exceeding interest.