"Her wishes must be treated with respect."
Dora did not give way until the two fair faces that had
brightened her house vanished. When they were gone, and a
strange, hushed silence fell upon the place, pride and courage
gave way. In that hour the very bitterness of death seemed to be
upon her.
Chapter XX
It was a proud moment for Lady Earle when she led the two young
girls through the long line of servants assembled to receive
them. They were both silent from sheer wonder. They had left
Florence at so early an age that they had not the faintest
remembrance of the pretty villa on the banks of the Arno. All
their ideas were centered in the Elms--they had never seen any
other home.
Lady Earle watched the different effect produced upon them by the
glimpse of Earlescourt. Lillian grew pale; she trembled, and her
wondering eyes filled with tears. Beatrice, on the contrary,
seemed instantly to take in the spirit of the place. Her face
flushed; a proud light came into her glorious eyes; her haughty
head was carried more regally than ever. There was no timidity,
no shyly expressed wonder, no sensitive shrinking from new and
unaccustomed splendor.
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