“Yes,” said Henrietta, as if satisfied.
“And above all,” said her mother, “it, like other gifts, grows dangerous, it may become affectation.”
“Pruding,” said Beatrice, “showing openly that you like it to be observed how prudent and proper you are.”
“Whereas true delicacy would shrink from showing that it is conscious of anything wrong,” said Henrietta. “Wrong I do not exactly mean, but something on the borders of it.”
“Yes,” said Aunt Mary, “and above all, do not let this delicacy show itself in the carping at other people, which only exalts our own opinion of ourselves, and very soon turns into ‘judging our neighbour.’”
“But there is false delicacy, aunt.”
“Yes, but it would be false kindness to enter on a fresh discussion tonight, when you ought to be fast asleep.”
CHAPTER XI.
The Queen Bee, usually undisputed sovereign of Knight Sutton, found in her cousin Roger a formidable rival. As son and heir, elder brother, and newly arrived after five years’ absence, he had considerable claims to attention, and his high spirits, sailor manners, sea stories, and bold open temper, were in themselves such charms that it was no wonder that Frederick and Alexander were seduced from their allegiance, and even grandpapa was less than usual the property of his granddaughter.