asked the girl with the big forehead , and torn braid on her skirt . ` Yes ; but they do n't thrill me as little Charlotte Bronte 's books do . The brain is there , but the heart seems left out . I admire , but I do n't love , George Eliot ; and her life is far sadder to me than Miss Bronte 's , because , in spite of the genius , love , and fame , she missed the light without which no soul is truly great , good , or happy . ' ` Yes 'm , I know ; but still it 's so romantic and sort of new and mysterious , and she was great in one sense . Her nerves and dyspepsia do rather destroy the illusion ; but I adore famous people and mean to go and see all I can scare up in London some day . ' ` You will find some of the best of them busy about just the work I recommend to you ; and if you want to see a great lady , I 'll tell you that Mrs Laurence means to bring one here today . Lady Abercrombie is lunching with her , and after seeing the college is to call on us . She especially wanted to see our sewing-school , as she is interested in things of this sort , and gets them up at home . ' ` Bless me ! I always imagined lords and ladies did nothing but ride round in a coach and six , go to balls , and be presented to the Queen in cocked hats , and trains and feathers , ' exclaimed an artless young person from the wilds of Maine , whither an illustrated paper occasionally wandered . ` Not at all ; Lord Abercrombie is over here studying up our American prison system , and my lady is busy with the schools -- both very high-born , but the simplest and most sensible people I 've met this long time . They are neither of them young nor handsome , and dress plainly ; so do n't expect anything splendid . Mr Laurence was telling me last night about a friend of his who met my lord in the hall , and owing to a rough greatcoat and a red face , mistook him for a coachman , and said : `` Now , my man , what do you want here ? '' Lord Abercrombie mildly mentioned who he was , and that he had come to dinner . And the poor host was much afflicted , saying afterward : `` Why did n't he wear his stars and garters ? then a fellow would know he was a lord . '' ' The girls laughed again , and a general rustle betrayed that each was prinking a bit before the titled guest arrived . Even Mrs Jo settled her collar , and Mrs Meg felt if her cap was right , while Bess shook out her curls and Josie boldly consulted the glass ; for they were women , in spite of philosophy and philanthropy . ` Shall we all rise ? '
asked one XXXXX , deeply impressed by the impending honour .
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