CHAPTER XXI 291
measured me from head to foot -- now traversing the folds of my drab merino pelisse , and now lingering on the plain trimming of my cottage bonnet . Young ladies have a remarkable way of letting you know that they think you a " quiz " without actually saying the words . A certain superciliousness of look , coolness of manner , nonchalance of tone , express fully their sentiments on the point , without committing them by any positive rudeness in word or deed .
A sneer , however , whether covert or open , had now no longer that power over me it once possessed : as I sat between my cousins , I was surprised to find how easy I felt under the total neglect of the one and the semi-sarcastic attentions of the other -- Eliza did not mortify , nor Georgiana ruffle me . The fact was , I had other things to think about ; within the last few months feelings had been stirred in me so much more potent than any they could raise -- pains and pleasures so much more acute and exquisite had been excited than any it was in their power to inflict or bestow -- that their airs gave me no concern either for good or bad .
" How is Mrs . Reed ?" I asked soon , looking calmly at Georgiana , who thought fit to bridle at the direct address , as if it were an unexpected liberty .
" Mrs . Reed ? Ah ! mama , you mean ; she is extremely poorly : I doubt if you can see her to-night ."
" If ," said I , " you would just step upstairs and tell her I am come , I should be much obliged to you ."
Georgiana almost started , and she opened her blue eyes wild and wide . " I know she had a particular wish to see me ," I added , " and I would not defer attending to her desire longer than is absolutely necessary ."
" Mama dislikes being disturbed in an evening ," remarked Eliza . I soon rose , quietly took off my bonnet and gloves , uninvited , and said I would just step out to Bessie -- who was , I dared say , in the kitchen -- and ask her to ascertain whether Mrs . Reed was disposed to receive me or not to-night . I went , and having found Bessie and despatched her on my errand , I