Lucy had some inner
tremblings of the spirit, and quiverings about the heart, at thus
beginning her duty before the great world, but she said little or
nothing to her husband on the matter. Other women had done as much
before her time, and by courage had gone through with it. It would be
dreadful enough, that position in her own house with lords and ladies
bowing to her, and stiff members of Parliament for whom it would
be necessary to make small talk; but, nevertheless, it was to be
endured. The time came, and she did endure it. The time came, and
before the first six weeks were over she found that it was easy
enough. The lords and ladies got into their proper places and talked
to her about ordinary matters in a way that made no effort necessary,
and the members of Parliament were hardly more stiff than the
clergymen she had known in the neighbourhood of Framley. She had not
been long in town before she met Lady Dumbello. At this interview
also she had to overcome some little inward emotion. On the few
occasions on which she had met Griselda Grantly at Framley they had
not much progressed in friendship, and Lucy had felt that she had
been despised by the rich beauty. She also in her turn had disliked,
if she had not despised, her rival.
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