But when I look at
Miss Nancy here, I begin to think the lasses keep up their quality;
ding me if I remember a sample to match her, not when I was a fine
young fellow, and thought a deal about my pigtail. No offence to
you, madam,' he added, bending to Mrs Crackenthorp, who sat by him, 'I
didn't know you when you were as young as Miss Nancy here.'
Mrs Crackenthorp- a small blinking woman, who fidgeted
incessantly with her lace, ribbons, and gold chain, turning her head
about and making subdued noises, very much like a guinea-pig, that
twitches its nose and soliloquizes in all company indiscriminately-
now blinked and fidgeted towards the Squire, and said, 'Oh, no- no
offence.'
This emphatic compliment of the Squire's to Nancy was felt by
others besides Godfrey to have a diplomatic significance; and her
father gave a slight additional erectness to his back, as he looked
across the table at her with complacent gravity. That grave and
orderly senior was not going to bate a jot of his dignity by seeming
elated at the notion of a match between his family and the Squire's:
he was gratified by any honour paid to his daughter; but he must see
an alteration in several ways before his consent would be
vouchsafed. His spare but healthy person, and high-featured firm face,
that looked as if it had never been flushed by excess, was in strong
contrast, not only with the Squire's, but with the appearance of the
Raveloe farmers generally- in accordance with a favourite saying of
his own that 'breed was stronger than pasture'.
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