"I dare say some of our neighbours think we are proud," said
Hugh, "because we use silver forks instead of steel."
"Because we're too good for steel forks, you ought to say," said Fleda. "I am sure they think so. I have been given to understand as much. Barby, I believe, has a good opinion of us, and charitably concludes that we mean right; but some other of our country friends would think I was far gone in uppishness if they knew that I never touch fish with a steel knife; and it wouldn't mend the matter much to tell them that the combination of flavours is disagreeable to me it hardly suits the doctrine of liberty and equality that my palate should be so much nicer than theirs."
"Absurd!" said Charlton.
"Very," said Fleda; "but on which side, in all probability, is the pride?"
"It wasn't for liveried servants that I charged Mr. Carleton," said her cousin. "How do the Evelyns like this paragon of yours?"
"Oh, everybody likes him, " said Fleda, smiling, "except you and your friend, Mr. Thorn."
"Thorn don't like him, eh?"
"I think not."
"What do you suppose is the reason?" said Charlton, gravely.
"I don't think Mr. Thorn is particularly apt to like anybody," said Fleda, who knew very well the original cause of both exceptions, but did not like to advert to it.