Page:The Princess Casamassima (London and New York, Macmillan & Co., 1886), Volume 1.djvu/249

 giving herself up to people like us when there is no obligation. Wretched company we must be, when there is so much better to be had.'

'I like it very much—you don't understand.'

'Precisely—that is what I say. Our little friend on the bed is perpetually talking about your house, your family, your splendours, your gardens and greenhouses; they must be magnificent, of course'

'Oh, I wish she wouldn't; really, I wish she wouldn't. It makes one feel dreadfully!' Lady Aurora interposed, with vehemence.

'Ah, you had better give her her way; it's such a pleasure to her.'

'Yes, more than to any of us!' sighed her ladyship, helplessly.

'Well, how can you leave all those beautiful things, to come and breathe this beastly air, surround yourself with hideous images, and associate with people whose smallest fault is that they are ignorant, brutal and dirty? I don't speak of the ladies here present,' Hyacinth added, with the manner which most made Millicent Henning (who at once admired and hated it), wonder where on earth he had got it.

'Oh, I wish I could make you understand!' cried Lady Aurora, looking at him with troubled, appealing eyes, as if he were unexpectedly discouraging.

'After all, I do understand! Charity exists in your nature as a kind of passion.'

'Yes, yes, it's a kind of passion!' her ladyship repeated, eagerly, very thankful for the word. 'I don't know whether it's charity—I don't mean that. But whatever it is, it's a passion—it's my life—it's all I care for.' She hesitated