Then, too, she had no fortune, which, though a minor evil, was
an evil; and she had no birth, in the high-life sense of the word,
which was a greater evil. And then, though her eyes had sparkled
when she confessed her love, Lady Lufton was not prepared to admit
that she was possessed of positive beauty. Such were the unfortunate
concomitant circumstances which still induced Lady Lufton to resolve
that the match must be marred.
But the performance of her part in this play was much more difficult
than she had imagined, and she found herself obliged to sit silent
for a minute or two, during which, however, Miss Robarts made no
attempt at further speech. "I am greatly struck," Lady Lufton said at
last, "by the excellent sense you have displayed in the whole of this
affair; and you must allow me to say, Miss Robarts, that I now regard
you with very different feelings from those which I entertained when
I left London." Upon this Lucy bowed her head, slightly but very
stiffly; acknowledging rather the former censure implied than the
present eulogium expressed.
"But my feelings," continued Lady Lufton, "my strongest feelings in
this matter, must be those of a mother. What might be my conduct if
such a marriage did take place, I need not now consider.
Pages:
610
611
612
613
614
615
616
617
618
619
620
621
622
623
624
625
626
627
628
629
630
631
632
633
634