On the one hand, there
were ladies no less important than the two Miss Gunns, the wine
merchant's daughters from Lytherly, dressed in the height of
fashion, with the tightest skirts and the shortest waists, and gazed
at by Miss Ladbrook (of the Old Pastures) with a shyness not
unsustained by inward criticism. Partly, Miss Ladbrook felt that her
own skirt must be regarded as unduly lax by the Miss Gunns, and
partly, that it was a pity the Miss Gunns did not show that judgment
which she herself would show if she were in their place, by stopping a
little on this side of the fashion. On the other hand, Mrs Ladbrook
was standing in skullcap and front, with her turban in her hand,
curtsying and smiling blandly and saying 'After you, ma'am' to another
lady in similar circumstances, who had politely offered the precedence
at the looking-glass.
But Miss Nancy had no sooner made her curtsy than an elderly lady
came forward, whose full white muslin kerchief, and mob-cap round
her curls of smooth grey hair, were in daring contrast with the puffed
yellow satins and top-knotted caps of her neighbours. She approached
Miss Nancy with much primness, and said, with a slow, treble suavity:
'Niece, I hope I see you well in health.' Miss Nancy kissed her
aunt's cheek dutifully, and answered, with the same sort of amiable
primness, 'Quite well, I thank you, aunt, and I hope I see you the
same.
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