She would be quite willing to accept even Miss Macnulty's sympathy if that
humble lady would give it to her of the kind she wanted. She declared to
herself that she could pour herself out on Miss Macnulty's bosom, and
mingle her tears even with Miss Macnulty's if only Miss Macnulty would
believe in her. If Miss Macnulty would be enthusiastic about the jewels,
enthusiastic as to the wickedness of Lord Fawn, enthusiastic in praising
Lizzie herself, Lizzie--so she told herself--would have showered all the
sweets of female friendship even on Miss Macnulty's head. But Miss
Macnulty was as hard as a deal board. She did as she was bidden, thereby
earning her bread. But there was no tenderness in her; no delicacy; no
feeling; no comprehension. It was thus that Lady Eustace judged her humble
companion; and in one respect she judged her rightly. Miss Macnulty did
not believe in Lady Eustace, and was not sufficiently gifted to act up to
a belief which she did not entertain.
Poor Lizzie! The world, in judging of people who are false, and bad, and
selfish, and prosperous to outward appearances, is apt to be hard upon
them, and to forget the punishments which generally accompany such faults.
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