But she was essentially honest. She knew that she would
fly at anybody who should in her presence say such bitter things of any of
her children as Lord Fawn had said of Mr. Greystock in Lucy's hearing; and
she knew also that Lucy was entitled to hold Mr. Greystock as dearly as
she held her own son and daughters. Lord Fawn, at Fawn Court, could not do
wrong. That was a tenet by which she was obliged to hold fast. And yet
Lucy had been subjected to great cruelty. She thought awhile for a valid
argument. "My dear," she said, "your youth should make a difference."
"Of course it should."
"Though to me and to the girls you are as dear as any friend can be, and
may say just what you please. Indeed, we all live here in such a way that
we all do say just what we please, young and old together. But you ought
to know that Lord Fawn is different."
"Ought he to say that Mr. Greystock is not a gentleman to me?"
"We are, of course, very sorry that there should be any quarrel. It is all
the fault of that--nasty, false young woman."
"So it is, Lady Fawn. Lady Fawn, I have been thinking about it all the
day, and I am quite sure that I had better not stay here while you and the
girls think badly of Mr.
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