Too free a fancy--I suppose that was it.

She afterwards published a work of fiction in which she was understood to have given a representation--something in the nature of a caricature, as you might say--of my unworthy self.

I didn't read it, but Ralph just handed me the book with the principal passages marked.

It was understood to be a description of my conversation; American peculiarities, nasal twang, Yankee notions, stars and stripes.

Well, it was not at all accurate; she couldn't have listened very attentively.