thatcondition,sincebythenightBerthahadmadeuphermindtomarryEdwardCraddockordie.Shelostnotime,forlessthanamonthhadpassedandtheirwedding-daywascertainlyinsight.
MissLeyloathedallmanifestationsoffeeling.Christmas,wheneverybodyissupposedtotakehisneighbourtohisbosomandharbourtowardshimanumberofsentimentalemotions,causedhersuchdiscomfortthatshehabituallyburiedherselfforthetimeinsomecontinentalcitywheresheknewnoone,andcouldescapetheover-brimmingofotherpeople’shearts.EveninsummerMissLeycouldnotseeaholly-treewithoutalittleshiverofdisgusthermindwentimmediatelytothedecorationsofmiddle-classhouses,themistletoehangingfromagas-chandelier,andthefoolisholdgentlemenwhofoundamusementinkissingstrayfemales.ShewasgladthatBerthahadthoughtfittorefusethedisplayofenthusiasmfromservantsandimpoverishedtenants,which,ontheattainmentofhermajority,herguardianhadwishedtoarrange.MissLeycouldimaginethatthefestivitiespossibleonsuchanoccasion,thehandshaking,themakingofgoodcheer,andtheobtrusivejovialityofthecountryEnglishman,mightsurpasseventhetawdryrejoicingsofYule-tide.ButBerthafortunatelydetestedsuchthingsassincerelyasdidMissLeyherself,andsuggestedtothepersonsconcernedthattheycouldnotobligehermorethanbytakingnonoticeofaneventwhichreallydidnottoherseemverysignificant.
ButDr.Ramsay’sheartinesscouldnotbeentirelyrestrainedandhehadalsoafineoldEnglishsenseofthefitnessofthings,thatpassiontoactinacertainmannermerelybecauseintimespastpeoplehavealwayssoacted.HeinsistedonsolemnlymeetingBerthatooffercongratulations,ablessing,andsomestatementofhisstewardship.
BerthacamedownstairswhenMissLeywasalreadyeatingbreakfast—averyfemininemeal,consistingofnothingmoresubstantialthanasquareinchofbaconandamorselofdrytoast.MissLeywasreallysomewhatnervous,shewasbotheredbythenecessityofreferringtoBertha’snatalday.
“Thatisoneadvantageofwomen,”shetoldherself,“aftertwenty-fivetheyglossovertheirbirthdayslikeimproprieties.Amanissoimpressedwithhisclevernessinhavingenteredtheworldatallthattheanniversaryalwaysinterestshimandt