"The farmhouse is not the Kieve: they are at least a mile apart."
"That's a mere quibble, Miss Bridgeman: the association is just the same, and she ought to feel it."
"Mrs. Tregonell is my very dear friend," answered Jessie. "She and her aunt are the only friends I have made in this world. You can't suppose that I shall find fault with her conduct?"
"No, I suppose not. You would stand by her through thick and thin?"
"Through thick and thin."
"Even at the sacrifice of principle?"
"I should consider gratitude and friendship the governing principles of my life where she is concerned."
"If she were to go ever so wrong, you would still stand by her?"
"Stand by her, and cleave to her—walk by her side till death, wherever the path might lead. I should not encourage her in wrong-doing. I should lift up my voice when there was need: but I should never forsake her."
"That is your idea of friendship?"