She had a diffident manner in society, but yet she was the only woman in the station who refused to follow Lady Harriet's lead.
As Tommy had said, she was a nobody.

Her influence was of no account, but yet with unobtrusive insistence she took her own way, and none could turn her therefrom.
Mrs.Ermsted held her up to ridicule openly, and yet very strangely she did not seem to dislike the Adjutant's sharp-tongued little wife.

She had been very good to her on more than one occasion, and the most appreciative remark that Mrs.Ermsted had ever found to make regarding her was that the poor thing was so fond of drudging for somebody that it was a real kindness to let her.

Mrs.Ermsted was quite willing to be kind to any one in that respect.
They approached now, and Lady Harriet gave to each her distinctive smile of royal condescension.
"I expected to see you dancing, Mrs.Ermsted," she said.
"Oh, it's too hot," declared Mrs.Ermsted.

"You want the temperament of a salamander to dance on a night like this." She cast a barbed glance towards Stella as she spoke as Monck guided her to the least crowded corner of the ball-room.