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  ...station. I began by telling Clare of the fashions of my grandmother's days, when every class had a sort of costume of its own,--and servants did not ape tradespeople, nor tradespeople professional men, and so on,--and what must the foolish woman do but begin to justify her own dress, as if I had been accusing her, or even thinking about her at all. Such nonsense! Really, Clare, your husband has spoilt you sadly, if you can't listen to any one without thinking they are alluding to you! People may flatter themselves just as much by thinking that their faults are always present to other people's minds, as if they believe that the world is always contemplating their individual charms and virtues.   '
'I was told, Lady Cumnor, that this silk was reduced in price. I bought it at Waterloo House after the season was over,' said Mrs Gibson, touching the very handsome gown she wore in deprecation of Lady Cumnor's angry voice, and blundering on to the very source of irritation.
'Again, Clare! How often must I tell you I had no thought of you or your gowns, or whether they cost much or little; your husband has to pay for them, and it is his concern if you spend more on your dress than...   Gaskell, Elizabeth

Excerpt from Wives and Daughters · This quote is tagged Faults · Search on Google Books to find all references and sources for this quotation.

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