She was greatly struck by the singular nobleness of Lady Erpingham’s face and person: and Godolphin rose in her estimation, from the justice of the homage he had rendered to so fair a shrine. What a curious trait, by the by, that is in women;--their exaggerated anxiety to see one who has been loved by the man in whom they themselves take interest: and the manner which the said man rises or falls in their estimation, according as they admire, or are disappointed in, the object of his love. “And so,” said Saville, supping one night with the actress, “you think the world does not overlaud Lady Erpingham?” “No: she is what Medea would have been, if innocent--full of majesty, and yet of sweetness. It is the face of a queen of some three thousand years back. I could have worshipped her.” “My little Fanny, you are a strange creature. Methinks you have a dash of poetry in you.” “Nobody who has not written poetry could ever read my character,” answered Fanny, with naivete, yet with truth. “Yet you have not much of the ideal about you, pretty one.” “No; because I was so early thrown on myself, that I was forced to make independence my chief good. I soon saw that if I followed my heart to and fro, wherever it led me, I should be the creature of every breath--the victim of every accident: I should have been the very soul of romance; lived on a smile; and died, perhaps, in a ditch at last. Accordingly, I set to work with my feelings, and pared and cut them down to a convenient compass. Happy for me that I did so! What would have become of me if, years go, when I loved Godolphin, I had thrown the whole world of my heart upon him?” “Why, he has generosity; he would not have deserted you.” “But I should have wearied him,” answered Fanny; “and that would have been quite enough for me. But I did love him well, and purely--(ah! you may smile!)--and disinterestedly. I was only fortified in my resolution not to love any one too much, by perceiving that he had _affection_ but no _sympathy_ for me. His nature was different from mine. I am _woman_ in everything, and Godolphin is always sighing for a _goddess!_” “I should like to sketch your character, Fanny. It is original, though not strongly marked. I never met with it in any book; yet it is true to your sex, and to the world.” “Few people could paint me exactly,” answered Fanny. “The danger is that they would make too much or too little of me. But such as I am, the world ought to know what is so common, and, as you think, so undescribed.” And now, beautiful Constance, farewell for the present! I leave you surrounded by power, and pomp, and adulation. Enjoy as you may that for which you sacrificed affection! CHAPTER XXVI. THE VISIONARY AND HIS DAUGHTER--AN ENGLISHMAN, SUCH AS FOREIGNERS IMAGINE THE ENGLISH.