It may seem to be a paradox to assert that such bad
opinion sprang from the high idea which she entertained of the importance
of men in general; but it was so. She had but one son, and of all her
children he was the least worthy; but he was more important to her than
all her daughters. Between her own girls and Lucy she hardly made any
difference; but when her son had chosen to quarrel with Lucy, it had been
necessary to send Lucy to eat her meals up-stairs. She could not believe
that Mr. Greystock should think so much of such a little girl as to marry
her. Mr. Greystock would no doubt behave very badly in not doing so; but
then men do so often behave very badly! And at the bottom of her heart she
almost thought that they might be excused for doing so. According to her
view of things, a man out in the world had so many things to think of, and
was so very important, that he could hardly be expected to act at all
times with truth and sincerity.
Lucy had suggested that the dean and Mrs. Greystock would dislike the
marriage, and upon that hint Lady Fawn spoke. "Nothing is settled, I
suppose, as to where you are to go when the six months are over?"
"Nothing as yet, Lady Fawn.
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