There was nobody about her, no friend of her own age and sex in whom she could confide, and she knew not where to look for such a treasure.

And yet one day she found a confidant where she least expected it.

Her husband had resolved to have a house-warming in her honour, and had had a list made of the intended guests which he sent to her for her approval, by the hands of old Mr.
Varga, the steward.

This particular piece of attention showed, moreover, how polite and condescending Karpathy was towards his wife.
Mr.Varga took the list, and, as was his wont on his passage through the house, continued knocking at every door he came to till he was told to come in.

On perceiving his mistress, he stood on the threshold in an attitude of the deepest respect, and would very much have liked to have had there and then an arm long enough to have reached from the door to the sofa.
Fanny was strangely attracted towards the old man.