People (they were mostly women) said that his voice had soul in it, whatever they meant by that.
She made no reply.

What reply could she make?
She only waited for him to sit down.
"Your letter came as a great shock to me, Phyllis," said he, when he had seated himself, not too close to her.

He did not wish her to fancy that he was desirous of having a subtle influence of propinquity as an ally.
"A great shock to me." "A shock ?" said she.

"A shock, after you had written that book ?" "I fancied you would understand it, Phyllis--you, at least.

Of course I expected to be misrepresented by the world--the critics--the clerics--what you will--but you----You had not read it when you wrote that letter to me--that terrible letter.