Anne Douglas Sedgwick

“ She liked him better than André, though he had not André's fine discrimination. His admirations lay along the paths of fashion, and the fact that fashion prided itself on being a pioneer led him into ardours for the new and the strange soon discarded for the newer and the stranger. He had an air, Alix saw, of caring, immensely, that you should sympathize with him about the latest painter, the latest poet, the latest composer. He did not really care whether you sympathized or not; but if you didn't, you were negligible for his purposes. She saw that he had already found Giles negligible ”

“ Debenham had laid out on the bed the very dress she herself would have chosen; her prettiest dress, of white and crystal; and the sense of elation and excitement mounted in her with thick swift strokes, as of rising wings, while, before the mirror, Debenham fastened it for her. Debenham thought her beautiful. Her quiet, sagacious face, glancing at the reflected figure, told Alix that she thought so; and Debenham had seen many pretty young ladies.
When she was left alone, she stood and looked at herself. Yes; was it true. Beautiful that little head ”

“ But one has only time for so much in one's life and my line is taken.”
“Philosophy and the Banbury Road,” said Alix, rather sadly musing.
“Yes; philosophy, though not necessarily the Banbury Road,” said Giles. “And tutoring and being poor. You couldn't combine those with dances and hunting; even if you had the choice; which I haven't.”
“Lady Mary cares for the things you do, Giles. Books and music, and the country. I believe they all care. I think you would be quite happy with her and Mr. Hamble and Jerry.” ”

“ Hamble is so kind. He told me that he would teach me to play billiards. They seem to find that Mr. Fulham very clever, but I would not have him however clever he was. I do not like him. He has a sly face and eats too much. And is Mrs. Hamble nice, Giles?” Thus circuitously Alix approached her object. “She is exceedingly pretty. You had a long talk with her.”
“Oh, no, I didn't.” Giles laughed suddenly. “She wasn't talking with me—only at me; to see what she'd catch as a rebound.”
After all, it was always delightful to get back to Giles. After all, no one understood quite as well as Giles. ”

“ Alix observed, refraining from a very yellow custard pudding while Giles doggedly attacked bread and cheese. “It is a pity; for pride in one's calling gives a zest to life, does it not?”
“Good Lord, Alix! Don't rub it in!” Giles exclaimed, for the mutton had been very tough.
It was already four o'clock when they entered the lodge gates of Cresswell Abbey. The road through the park wound upwards and one saw the ample, happy house with the dropping sun yellowing its windows as it looked out over a southern aspect. ”

“ Ask her for anything you want,” said Lady Mary, introducing the elderly maid who entered with hot water. “You can find your way down? We're having tea in the drawing-room, just out of the hall. And then you must have a little rest. Some young people are coming over after dinner to dance. Are you fond of dancing?”
“Fonder than of anything, I think,” said Alix; and Lady Mary, smiling, said “Good.” ”

“ A wide staircase turned to an upper landing from the hall, and on the turn, with an ascending row of Chinese paintings behind him, a young man in hunting-dress was standing, looking down at them, as they were ushered in, with soft, bright, interested eyes. ”