CHAPTER XII
In the meanwhile Mr Maynard, Miss Maynard, and Mrs Wallington his widowed sister, were impatiently expecting Glenmurray's answer, and earnestly hoping to see him and his lovely companion,—but from different motives. Maynard was impatient to see Adeline because he really admired her; his sisters, because they hoped to find her unworthy of such violent admiration.
Their vanity had been piqued, and their envy excited, by the extravagant praises of their brother; and they had interrupted him by the first questions which all women ask on such occasions,—'Is she pretty?'
And he answered, 'Very pretty.'
'Is she tall?'
'Very tall, taller than I am.'
'I hate tall women,' replied Miss Maynard (a little round girl of nineteen).
'Is she fair?'
'Exquisitely fair.'