"The captain in the army being dead, she believed herself safe; but a train of circumstances with which I need not trouble you led to discovery. As I received the story, they began in an imprudence on her own part one day when she was taken by surprise, which shows how difficult it is for the firmest of us (she was very firm) to be always guarded. There was great domestic trouble and amazement, you may suppose; I leave you to imagine, Sir Leicester, the husband's grief. But that is not the present point. When Mr. Rouncewell's townsman heard of the disclosure, he no more allowed the girl to be patronized and honoured than he would have suffered her to be trodden underfoot before his eyes. Such was his pride, that he indignantly took her away, as if from reproach and disgrace. He had no sense of the honour done him and his daughter by the lady's condescension; not the least. He resented the girl's position, as if the lady had been the commonest of commoners. That is the story. I hope Lady Dedlock will excuse its painful nature."

"The captain being dead, she believed herself safe; but a train of circumstances with which I need not trouble you led to discovery. As I heard it, they began in an imprudence on her own part one day when she was taken by surprise. There was great domestic trouble and amazement, you may suppose; I leave you to imagine, Sir Leicester, the husband's grief. But that is not the point. When Mr. Rouncewell's townsman heard of the disclosure, he no longer allowed the girl to be patronized and honoured by the lady. Such was his pride, that he indignantly took her away, as if from reproach and disgrace; as if the lady had been the commonest of commoners. That is the story. I hope Lady Dedlock will excuse its painful nature."
