That was
because she had a sympathetic and delightful voice, due entirely to
some special formation of her throat and the roof of her mouth, and
having nothing whatever to do with what she was feeling. Nobody in
consequence ever believed they were being snubbed. It was most
tiresome. And if she stared icily it did not look icy at all, because
her eyes, lovely to begin with, had the added loveliness of very long,
soft, dark eyelashes. No icy stare could come out of eyes like that;
it got caught and lost in the soft eyelashes, and the persons stared at
merely thought they were being regarded with a flattering and exquisite
attentiveness. And if ever she was out of humour or definitely cross--
and who would not be sometimes in such a world?---she only looked so
pathetic that people all rushed to comfort her, if possible by means of
kissing. It was more than tiresome, it was maddening. Nature was
determined that she should look and sound angelic. She could never be
disagreeable or rude without being completely misunderstood.
"I had my breakfast in my room," she said, trying her utmost to
sound curt. "Perhaps I'll see you later."
And she nodded, and went back to where she had been sitting on
the wall, with the lilies being nice and cool round her feet.
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