THE HEART OF A FATHER Oddly enough, seeing the General's feeling towards his sister-in-law, seeing, too, that he and Nelly had hardly ever had a thought or taste that was not in common, a certain affection grew up on Nelly's part for Lady Drummond.

An acute observer would have said that the affection had something conscience-stricken about it.

There were times when Nelly's eyes asked pardon of the Dowager for some offence committed against her, and this usually happened when the Dowager was making much of her, as of a daughter-in-law who would be dearly welcome when the time came.
Something of the love Lady Drummond had borne for her husband had passed on to his niece.

She was immensely proud, in her secret heart, of the deeds of the Drummonds.

Despite her hectoring ways, she looked up to and admired the General, although he had been too simple to discern the fact and profit by it.