‘He would help me in trouble, but I am nothing to him. You were all I had, and when you gave yourself away from me I was left alone with the heart-ache, and began to think myself born to live without love.’
‘In spite of the lovers you had in London?’
‘You know better. That was the Honourable Miss Martindale. What did they know of the real Theodora?’
‘Poor critturs, what indeed! They would have run far enough if they had.’
‘I knew it. It is the soft, gentle, feminine mould that attracts men.’
‘Another curious discovery.’
‘I cannot change my nature. But when he comes, superior to them all, understanding my true self, seeing me high-spirited and cold-mannered, but able to look into me, and perceive there is warmth and soundness—oh! is not that a new well-spring of happiness!’
‘Yes, he is as much out of the common run of folks as you are. You’ll go as well together as Smithson’s pair of piebalds. I am satisfied; I only wanted to know whether you cared for him, for you don’t “act as sich.”’
‘I can’t talk stuff. I managed pretty well with papa, but I could not bear it with John. He began to praise Percy, which made me ready to cry, and that provoked me: besides, I know he does not believe in me. He cares for Helen’s brother far more than for his own sister, and does not think me good enough for him. I saw he thought I should trifle, and meant to give me a lecture; and I could not stand that, you know, so I got away as fast as I could.’
‘John does not lecture as you might expect, if you give him his full swing. He is the best and kindest fellow in the world.’