She never guessed that every man, and every woman too, was
admiring her, except the strong-minded one who saw in her the true
inane Raffaelesque Madonna on whom George Eliot is so severe.
Nor did the lady alter her opinion when, at the end of a very curious
speculation about primeval American civilisation, Captain Evelyn and
Miss Brownlow were discovered studying family photographs in a
corner, apparently much more interested whether a hideous half-faded
brown shadow had resembled John at fourteen, than to what century and
what nation those odd curly-whirleys on stone belonged, and what they
were meant to express.
Babie was scandalised.
"You didn't listen! It was most wonderful! Why Armie went down and
fetched up Allen to hear about those wonderful walled towns!"
"I don't go in for improving my mind," said Cecil.
"Then you should not hinder Essie from improving hers! Think of
letting her go home having seen nothing but all the repeated
photographs of her brothers and sisters!"
"Well, what should she like to see?" cried Cecil. "I'm good for
anything you want to go to before the others are free."
"The Ethiopian serenaders, or, may be, Punch," said Jock. "Madame
Tussaud would be too intellectual."
"When Lina is strong enough she is to see Madame Tussaud," said Essie
gravely.
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