It was a point which Morton
could not contest out there among the porters and drivers, so that
at last he and his grandmother had the phaeton together with the
two maids in the rumble. "I never saw such manners in all my life,"
said the Honourable Mrs. Morton, almost bursting with passion.
"They are cold and tired, ma'am."
"No lady should be too cold or too tired to conduct herself with
propriety. No real lady is ever so."
"The place is strange to them, you know."
"I hope with all my heart that it may never be otherwise than
strange to them."
When they arrived at the house the strangers were carried into the
library and tea was of course brought to them. The American Senator
was there, but the greetings were very cold. Mrs. Morton took her
place and offered her hospitality in the most frigid manner. There
had not been the smallest spark of love's flame shown as yet, nor
did the girl as she sat sipping her tea seem to think that any such
spark was wanted. Morton did get a seat beside her and managed to
take away her muff and one of her shawls, but she gave them to him
almost as she might have done to a servant. She smiled indeed, but
she smiled as some women smile at everybody who has any intercourse
with them. "I think perhaps Mrs. Morton will let us go up-stairs,"
said Lady Augustus.
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