"But of course we must not ask you in that case--Miss Costello may come to us, may she not?
I will take good care of her." Lucia had many scruples about leaving her mother; but, however, it was finally settled that the Dightons should call for her next day--that they should have a long drive to some place not yet fixed upon--and that she should afterwards spend the evening with them.
Mrs.Costello was pleased that her child should go out a little after her long seclusion from all society; and the whole plan was arranged with little reference to Lucia, who vainly tried to avoid this long absence from her mother.
The two cousins were scarcely on their road when Lady Dighton asked-- "Well, Maurice, am I to reserve my opinion ?" "As you please," he answered smiling.

"I am sure it is not very unfavourable." "She is wonderfully beautiful; and, what is most strange, she knows it without being vain." "Vain?
I should think she was not!" "What grace she has! With her small head and magnificent hair and eyes, she would have had quite beauty enough for one girl without being so erect and stately.

You never gave me the idea that she was so excessively handsome, Maurice." "Is she?
I don't believe I knew it.

You see I have known her all her life--I know every one of her qualities, I believe, good and bad; and all her ways.

I knew she had the purest nature and the warmest, bravest heart a woman could have; but I have thought very little about her beauty by itself." "Well, then, let me tell you, she only needs to be seen--she is quite lovely; and as for the rest, I do not know yet, but I am very much inclined to think you may be right.