She looked about her with fine self-possession, and approved Mrs.Lee's surroundings with a cordiality so different from the northern stinginess of praise, that Madeleine was rather pleased than offended.

Yet when her eye rested on the Corot, Madeleine's only pride, she was evidently perplexed, and resorted to eye-glasses, in order, as it seemed, to gain time for reflection.

But she was not to be disconcerted even by Corot's masterpiece: "How pretty! Japanese, isn't it?
Sea-weeds seen through a fog.

I went to an auction yesterday, and do you know I bought a tea-pot with a picture just like that." Madeleine inquired with extreme interest about the auction, but after learning all that Mrs.Baker had to tell, she was on the point of being reduced to silence, when she bethought herself to mention Carrington.
Mrs.
Baker brightened up at once, if she could be said to brighten where there was no sign of dimness: "Dear Mr.Carrington! Isn't he sweet?
I think he's a delicious man.

I don't know what I should do without him.