When the gentlemen came in from the dinner-table, Sydney was composed enough to admire the brilliant scene, and to wonder again, as she had wondered already, what Mr.Linley would say to her new dress.
Mr.Linley certainly did notice her--at a distance.
He looked at her with a momentary fervor of interest and admiration which made Sydney (so gratefully and so guiltlessly attached to him) tremble with pleasure; he even stepped forward as if to approach her, checked himself, and went back again among his guests.

Now, in one part of the room, and now in another, she saw him speaking to them.

The one neglected person whom he never even looked at again, was the poor girl to whom his approval was the breath of her life.

Had she ever felt so unhappy as she felt now?
No, not even at her aunt's school! Friendly Mrs.MacEdwin touched her arm.

"My dear, you are losing your pretty color.