‘Nothing more than my duty,’ said he, smiling.

‘I hope you’ll learn to know that a woman can really be grateful,’ she replied.  Then she let go his hand and moved away to some other guest.  There was a dash of true sincerity in what she had said.  Of enduring gratitude it may be doubtful whether she was capable:  but at this moment she did feel that Mr Broune had done much for her, and that she would willingly make him some return of friendship.  Of any feeling of another sort, of any turn at the moment towards flirtation, of any idea of encouragement to a gentleman who had once acted as though he were her lover, she was absolutely innocent.  She had forgotten that little absurd episode in their joint lives.  She was at...