But Lady Carbury could not treat the girl after that fashion. She returned to the drawing-room, descending the stairs very slowly, and thinking what answer she would make. "Miss Melmotte," she said, "my son feels that everything has been so changed since he and you last met, that nothing can be gained by a renewal of your acquaintance."
"That is his message;--is it?" Lady Carbury remained silent. "Then he is indeed all that they have told me; and I am ashamed that I should have loved him. I am ashamed;--not of coming here, although you will think that I have run after him. I don't see why a girl should not run after a man if they have been engaged together. But I'm ashamed of thinking so much of so mean a person. Good-bye, Lady Carbury."

Lady Carbury went very slowly back down to the drawing-room. "Miss Melmotte," she said, "my son feels that nothing can be gained by a renewal of your acquaintance."
"That is his message, is it? Then he is indeed all that they have told me; and I am ashamed that I should have loved him. I am not ashamed of coming here, although you will think that I have run after him. But I'm ashamed of thinking so much of so mean a person. Good-bye, Lady Carbury. 