A Lady of Quality: Being a Most Curious, Hitherto Unknown History, as Related by Mr. Isaac Bickerstaff but Not Presented to the World of Fashion Through the Pages of The Tatler, and Now for the First Time Written DownBurnett, Frances Hodgson
General
A Lady of Quality: Being a Most Curious, Hitherto Unknown History, as Related by Mr. Isaac Bickerstaff but Not Presented to the World of Fashion Through the Pages of The Tatler, and Now for the First Time Written Down
Burnett, Frances Hodgson
Nobility -- Fiction
But though she kept as much apart from the great World of Fashion as she
could, she contrived to know of all her sister's triumphs; to see her
when she went forth in her bravery, though 'twere but to drive in the
Mall; to be in her closet with her on great nights when her tirewomen
were decking her in brocades and jewels, that she might show her highest
beauty at some assembly or ball of State. And at all these times, as
also at all others, she knew that she but shared her own love and dazzled
admiration with my Lord Dunstanwolde, whose tenderness, being so fed by
his lady's unfailing graciousness of bearing and kindly looks and words,
grew with every hour that passed.
They held one night a splendid assembly at which a member of the Royal
House was present. That night Clorinda bade her sister appear.
"Sometimes--I do not command it always--but sometimes you must show
yourself to our guests. My lord will not be pleased else. He says it is
not fitting that his wife's sister should remain unseen as if we hid her
away through ungraciousness. Your woman will prepare for you all things
needful. I myself will see that your dress becomes you. I have
commanded it already, and given much thought to its shape and colour. I
would have you very comely, Anne." And she kissed her lightly on her
cheek--almost as gently as she sometimes kissed her lord's grey hair. In
truth, though she was still a proud lady and stately in her ways, there
had come upon her some strange subtle change Anne could not understand.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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