Mr.Osmond's simply a very lonely, a very cultivated and a very honest man--he's not a prodigious proprietor." Ralph had listened with great attention, as if everything she said merited deep consideration; but in truth he was only half thinking of the things she said, he was for the rest simply accommodating himself to the weight of his total impression--the impression of her ardent good faith.

She was wrong, but she believed; she was deluded, but she was dismally consistent.

It was wonderfully characteristic of her that, having invented a fine theory, about Gilbert Osmond, she loved him not for what he really possessed, but for his very poverties dressed out as honours.

Ralph remembered what he had said to his father about wishing to put it into her power to meet the requirements of her imagination.

He had done so, and the girl had taken full advantage of the luxury.