"You ought to be more dignified," he said. "You say you want to improve yourself. Then, in that case, this sort of thing——”
She really had seen nothing reprehensible in her conduct, nothing to be censured. She knew, of course, that a girl in her situation mustn’t spend her time in "fooling" with the men of the household; but to disapprove it on high moral grounds ...!
However, the word "dignified" gave her a clue. It was those magnificent women he had in mind! She was falling short of their standard, and therefore disappointing Eddie. She wasn’t being magnificent.
She looked up at him.
"I see!" she said thoughtfully. "All right! I’ll try!"
"That’s right," he said. "I knew—if it were pointed out to you—that that sort of thing is so out of keeping with your character——”
"With your face," he meant. He meant, without being aware of it, that any sort of coarseness in a girl so lovely and desirable was a shocking offense to him.
Angelica left him, inspired by the loftiest thoughts. She was resolved to redeem this day begun so inauspiciously, breakfasting with the servants, knocking over the white-haired doctor. She pictured a new Angelica, stately and aloof.
"He does me good—that feller!" she reflected.