"A townsman of this Mrs. Rouncewell, a man in exactly parallel circumstances as I am told, had the good fortune to have a daughter who attracted the notice of a great lady. I speak of really a great lady, not merely great to him, but married to a gentleman of your condition, Sir Leicester."
Sir Leicester condescendingly says, "Yes, Mr. Tulkinghorn," implying that then she must have appeared of very considerable moral dimensions indeed in the eyes of an iron-master.
"The lady was wealthy and beautiful, and had a liking for the girl, and treated her with great kindness, and kept her always near her. Now this lady preserved a secret under all her greatness, which she had preserved for many years. In fact, she had in early life been engaged to marry a young rake--he was a captain in the army--nothing connected with whom came to any good. She never did marry him, but she gave birth to a child of which he was the father."
By the light of the fire he can be seen looking towards the moonlight. By the moonlight, Lady Dedlock can be seen in profile, perfectly still.

"A townsman of this Mrs. Rouncewell, a man in exactly parallel circumstances, had the good fortune to have a daughter who attracted the notice of a great lady. I speak of really a great lady, married to a gentleman of your position, Sir Leicester."
Sir Leicester condescendingly says, "Yes, Mr. Tulkinghorn," implying that then she must have appeared very considerable indeed in the eyes of an iron-master.
"The lady was wealthy and beautiful, and had a liking for the girl, and treated her with great kindness, and kept her always near her. Now this lady preserved a secret under all her greatness, which she had kept for many years. In fact, she had in early life been engaged to marry a young rake - a captain in the army who came to no good. She never did marry him, but she gave birth to a child of which he was the father."
By the light of the fire he can be seen looking towards the moonlight. By the moonlight, Lady Dedlock can be seen in profile, perfectly still.
