On the whole, Mrs.Lee was satisfied.
If her own sufferings were great, they were not without reward.

She studied all the women in the ball-room, and if there was one prettier than Sybil, Madeleine's eyes could not discover her.

If there was a more perfect dress, Madeleine knew nothing of dressing.

On these points she felt the confidence of conviction.

Her calm would have been complete, had she felt quite sure that none of Sybil's gaiety was superficial and that it would not be followed by reaction.