Her manners were immeasurably better than his, because they were simple and
aimed at nothing. Instinctively she avoided whatever, had she done it, she
would at once have recognized as uncomely. She did not know that
simplicity was the purest breeding, yet from mere truth of nature practised
it unknowing. If her words were older-fashioned, that is more provincial
than his, at least her tone was less so, and her utterance was prettier
than if, like him, she had aped an Anglicized mode of speech. James would,
I am sure, have admired her more if she had been dressed on Sundays in
something more showy than a simple cotton gown; and I fear that her
poverty had its influence in the freedoms he allowed himself with her.
Her aunt was a weak as well as unsuspicious woman, who had known better
days, and pitied herself because they were past and gone. She gave herself
no anxiety as to her niece's prudence, but continued well assured of it
even while her very goodness was conspiring against her safety.
Pages:
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39