I always acknowledged that I was a step below your father and you." "Hush! You were a step below no one.

You stand on a pinnacle which no other mother can reach, as far as I am concerned.

Compare you with Mrs.
Bertram indeed!" Here Beatrice tried to look scornful.

The expression was so foreign to her face that her mother absolutely laughed and chuckled.

Of course, she had meant Bee to say the kind of thing she had said; it was balm to the old lady to hear such words from her beautiful child.
Up at the Manor now everything went smoothly.