‘There is great need,’ she answered, in the same way, ‘that I should open my whole heart before the soul of generosity and truth, whom, year by year, and day by day, I have loved and venerated more and more, as Heaven knows!’

‘Really,’ interrupted Mrs. Markleham, ‘if I have any discretion at all — ’

(‘Which you haven’t, you Marplot,’ observed my aunt, in an indignant whisper.) — ‘I must be permitted to observe that it cannot be requisite to enter into these details.’

‘No one but my husband can judge of that, mama,’ said Annie without removing her eyes from his face, ‘and he will hear me. If I say anything to give you pain, mama, forgive me.