‘Should you have liked it, Lily?’
‘For once in a way. For Rotherwood’s sake, dear old fellow. Yes, I should.’
‘Ah, well! You are a bit of a grande dame yourself. Ada enjoys it, too, or I don’t think I ever should go there.’
‘Surely Victoria behaves well to you?’
‘Far be it from me to say she is not exemplary in her perfect civility to all her husband’s relations. Ada thinks her charming; but oh. Lily, you’ve never found out what it is to be a little person in a great person’s house, and to feel one’s self scrupulously made one of the family, because her husband is so much attached to all of them. There’s nothing spontaneous about it! I dare say you would get on better, though You are not a country-town old maid; you would have an air of the world and of distinction even if you went in your old grey poplin.’
‘Well, I thought better of my lady.’
‘You ought not! She makes great efforts, I am sure, and is a pattern of graciousness and cordiality—only that’s just what riles one, when one knows one is just as well born, and all the rest of it. And then I’m provided with the clever men, and the philanthropical folk to talk to. I know it’s a great compliment, and they are very nice, but I’d ten times rather take my chance among them. However, now I’ve made the grapes sour for you, what do you think about Dolores? Will you send her to us?’
‘Not immediately, at any rate, dear Jane. It is very kind in you to wish to take her off our hands, but I do want to try her a little longer. I thought she seemed to be softening last night.’
‘She was as hard as ever when I went in to wish her good-bye.’
‘I thought she had too much headache for conversation when I went in last; I think this is a regular upset from unhappiness and reserve.’