Is not she beautiful?" she added in a lower but still
distinct voice to her friend. "Do you know I think there is
so much beauty among the lower order."
Mr Mountchesney and Lord Milford poured forth several insipid
compliments, accompanied with some speaking looks which they
flattered themselves could not be misconstrued. Sybil said
not a word, but answered each flood of phrases with a cold
reverence.
Undeterred by her somewhat haughty demeanour, which Lady Maud
only attributed to the novelty of her situation, her ignorance
of the world, and her embarrassment under this overpowering
condescension, the good-tempered and fussy daughter of Lord de
Mowbray proceeded to re-assure Sybil, and to enforce on her
that this perhaps unprecedented descent from superiority was
not a mere transient courtliness of the moment, and that she
really might rely on her patronage and favourable feeling.
"You really must come and see me," said Lady Maud, "I shall
never be happy till you have made me a visit. Where do you
live? I will come and fetch you myself in the carriage. Now
let us fix a day at once. Let me see; this is Saturday. What
say you to next Monday?"
"I thank you," said Sybil, very gravely, "but I never quit my
home.
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