There was respect in his manner, but nothing over-humble, nothing to say that they were not equals in a sense.

His eyes, at once bright and dreamy, rested on her with a friendly regard.
"The man has gentle blood in him somewhere," said the old lady to herself.

She had a sense of humour which kept her knowledge of her own importance from becoming overweening.

"I believe his respect is for my age, not for my rank.

I wonder what the world is coming to!" She went away then and left the father and daughter together.