“When you have to compete with the rich and influential, it will probably be mentioned to you,” said Miss Lavvy, “in good time. At least, it will if the case is my case.”
Mr. Sampson immediately expressed his fervent opinion that this was “more than human,” and was brought upon his knees at Miss Lavinia’s feet.
It was the crowning addition indispensable to the full enjoyment of both mother and daughter, to bear Mr. Sampson, a grateful captive, into the glittering halls he had mentioned, and to parade him through the same, at once a living witness of their glory, and a bright instance of their condescension. Ascending the staircase, Miss Lavinia permitted him to walk at her side, with the air of saying: “Notwithstanding all these surroundings, I am yours as yet, George. How long it may last is another question, but I am yours as yet.” She also benignantly intimated to him, aloud, the nature of the objects upon which he looked, and to which he was unaccustomed: as, “Exotics, George,” “An aviary, George,” “An ormolu clock, George,” and the like. While, through the whole of the decorations, Mrs. Wilfer led the way with the bearing of a savage chief, who would feel himself compromised by manifesting the slightest token of surprise or admiration.
Indeed, the bearing of this impressive woman, throughout the day, was a pattern to all impressive women under similar circumstances. She renewed the acquaintance of Mr. and Mrs. Boffin, as if Mr. and Mrs. Boffin had said of her what she had said of them, and as if Time alone could quite wear her injury out. She regarded every servant who approached her, as her sworn enemy, expressly intending to offer her affronts with the dishes, and to pour forth outrages on her moral feelings from the decanters. She sat erect at table, on the right hand of her son-in-law, as half suspecting poison in the viands, and as bearing up with native force of character against other deadly ambushes. Her carriage towards