An unlooked-for result of the folly of this evening was, that Claude
was prevented from appreciating Miss Weston He could not learn to
like her, nor shake off an idea, that she was prying into their
family concerns; he thought her over-praised, and would not even give
just admiration to her singing, because he had once fancied her eager
to exhibit it. It was unreasonable to dislike his sister's friend
for his sister's folly, but Claude's wisdom was not yet arrived at
its full growth, and he deserved credit for keeping his opinion to
himself.
CHAPTER IX--THE WASP
'Whom He hath blessed and called His own,
He tries them early, look and tone,
Bent brow and throbbing heart,
Tries them with pain.'
The next week Lily had the pleasure of fitting out Faith Longley for
her place at Mrs. Weston's. She rejoiced at this opportunity of
patronising her, because in her secret soul she felt that she might
have done her a little injustice in choosing her own favourite Esther
in her stead. Esther's popularity at the New Court, however, made
Lilias confident in her own judgment; the servants liked her because
she was quick and obliging, Mr. Mohun said she looked very neat,
Phyllis liked her because a mischance to her frock was not so brave
an offence with her as with Rachel, and Ada was growing very fond of
her, because she was in the habit of bestowing great admiration on
her golden curls as she arranged them, and both little girls were
glad not to be compelled to put away the playthings they took out.
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