I married Tim Verney, the millionaire, at the end of my first season!” [94] Poor Sydney used to listen to such conversations with a vague and increasing sense of discomfort. Was this to be her life, only this? Was this where all the accomplishments were leading? Was this, only this, what mother had meant by “making the best in every sense of this new life”? Sydney felt quite sure that it was not! She grew graver and distinctly more homesick; St. Quentin noticed the change in her, and put it down to rather too many lessons. By his decree the ride was lengthened; but it was something more than mere amusement that poor Sydney wanted. Perhaps the want she was most conscious of herself was mother. [95] [95] The drill and fencing lessons were supposed to give the girl that “deportment” of which Lady Frederica spoke so constantly, but she was herself Sydney’s most effective teacher. The girl grew very weary of the constant instructions. “Don’t run downstairs, Sydney!—never seem in a hurry. My dear, don’t shake hands that way. Miss Osric, kindly give her your hand again. No, that’s not right! Dear me! I think they might have taught you such a simple thing as to shake hands gracefully at your doctor’s.” If Sydney failed in any way, Lady Frederica was surprised that she had not been taught better at “the doctor’s.” It made the girl grow hot with indignation for the dear home people, but she was quite aware that Lady Frederica would only raise her eyebrows and say, “Gracious, child, don’t be absurd!” if she expressed a tithe of what she felt. The bi-weekly calisthenic lessons came as a welcome relaxation. The drive to Donisbro’ was in itself a pleasure, for, after the first novelty had worn off, Lady Frederica sent Miss Osric with her pupil. The class comprised only about a dozen girls between the ages of fourteen and nineteen, who met at a private house and were taught by[96] a master who bestowed instructions upon royalty. [96] It felt like meeting an old friend to Sydney to see Katharine Morrell’s clear-cut face and calm eyes among the mothers and governesses, and she enjoyed introducing Miss Osric and telling eagerly the unimportant little details of her daily life to an ear which was
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