For Gudrun had been a social success, and had her friends among the slack aristocracy that keeps touch with the arts.
Hermione knew herself to be well-dressed; she knew herself to be the social equal, if not far the superior, of anyone she was likely to meet in Willey Green.

She knew she was accepted in the world of culture and of intellect.

She was a KULTURTRAGER, a medium for the culture of ideas.

With all that was highest, whether in society or in thought or in public action, or even in art, she was at one, she moved among the foremost, at home with them.

No one could put her down, no one could make mock of her, because she stood among the first, and those that were against her were below her, either in rank, or in wealth, or in high association of thought and progress and understanding.