Why, since she had been their neighbour things had not been the same.

She had carried Nelly hither and thither, to concerts and At Homes and picture-galleries and what-not.

She talked of presenting her at Court, with an air of significance which the General loathed.

The question in her eye and smile--the General called it a smirk--the very transparent question was as to whether it was not better to wait and present Nelly on her marriage.
When the Dowager was sly she made the General furious.

Was his little girl to be married out of hand to Robin Drummond without being given the chance to see the world and other men?
He asked the question hotly, pacing up and down the faded Persian rug in his den.