An image which had immediately arisen in Gwendolen's mind was that of the unknown mother--no doubt a dark-eyed woman--probably sad. Hardly any face could be less like Deronda's than that represented as Sir Hugo's in a crayon portrait at Diplow. A dark-eyed woman, no longer young, had become "stuff o' the conscience" to Gwendolen.
That night when she had got into her little bed, and only a dim light was burning, she said,
"Mamma, have men generally children before they are married?"
"No, dear, no," said Mrs. Davilow. "Why do you ask such a question?" (But she began to think that she saw the why.)
"If it were so, I ought to know," said Gwendolen, with some indignation.

An image of the sad, dark-eyed, unknown mother had immediately arisen in Gwendolen's mind. A dark-eyed woman, no longer young, had become "stuff o' the conscience" to her.
That night when she was in her little bed, and only a dim light was burning, she said-
"Mamma, have men generally children before they are married?"
"No, dear," said Mrs. Davilow.
"If it were so, I ought to know," said Gwendolen indignantly.
