It was a piece of art--a picture, in the interest of which her own part therein was utterly and satisfactorily forgotten.

She was so amused with watching other people that she never thought whether other people were watching her; and when, after half an hour's disappearance among a crowd of gentlemen, her husband came up and asked her if she were enjoying herself, she answered "Oh, so much!" with an ardor that made him smile.
And she did enjoy herself, even though a good many people were brought up to her and introduced, and by their not too brilliant remarks on it somewhat tarnished the brilliancy of the scene.

But also she had some pleasant conversation with people far greater and grander and cleverer than she had ever met in her life; who, nevertheless, did not awe her at all, but led her on to talk, and to feel pleasure in talking; she being utterly unaware that her simple unconsciousness was making her ten times more charming, more beautiful than before, and that round the room were passing and repassing innumerable flattering comments on the young wife of the Master of Saint Bede's.
Only she thought once or twice, with an amused wonder, which had yet some sadness in it, how little these people would have thought of her a year before--how completely they would ignore her now if she were not Dr.Grey's wife.

And there came into her heart such a gush of-- gratitude was it ?--to that good man who had loved her just as she was-- poor Christian Oakley, governess and orphan--in that saddest state of orphanage which is conscious that all the world would say she had need to be thankful for the same.

She looked round for her husband several times, but missing him--and it felt a want, among all those strange faces--she sat down by Miss Gascoigne, who, taking the turn of the tide, now patronized "my sister, Mrs.Grey," in the most overwhelming manner.
It was after a whispered conference with Miss Gascoigne that the wife of the vice chancellor, herself young and handsome, and lately married, came up to ask Christian to sing.
Then, poor girl! all her fears and doubts returned.