Caroline found herself in great request as general
confidante, adviser, and medium as being familiar with all parties,
and it was evidently a great comfort to her sister-in-law to find
some one there to answer questions and give her the carte-du-pays.
Outwardly, she was all the Serene Highness, a majestic matron,
overshadowing everybody, not talkative, but doing her part with
dignity, in great part the outcome of shyness, but rather formidable
to simple-minded Mrs. Evelyn.
She heard of John's accident with equanimity amazing to her hostess,
but befitting the parent of six sons who were always knocking
themselves about. Indeed, John was too well launched ever to occupy
much of her thoughts. Her pride was in her big Robert, and her joy
in her little Harry, and her care for whichever intermediate one
needed it most. This one at the moment was of course pretty,
frightened, blushing Esther, who was moving about in one maze and
dazzle of shyness and strangeness, hardly daring to raise her eyes,
but fortunately graceful enough to look her part well in the midst of
her terrors. Such continual mistakes between her and Eleanor were
made, that Cecil was advised to take care that he had the right
bride; but Ellie, though so like her sister outwardly, was of a very
different nature, neither shy nor timid, but of the sturdy Friar
texture.
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