illips's First Grief

Mrs. Phillips was somewhat annoyed at her husband's treating Elsie
Melville on their continental tour more as a travelling companion than
as a paid dependant. Where was to be the glory of this journey through
France and Italy, of which she would have to boast all her life, if her
maid and herself were to be on such terms of equality? In vain Mr.
Phillips said he had disliked the difference that was made between the
two sisters, and had only submitted to it in London on account of the
servants, and that he was glad to take this opportunity of treating
Elsie as her birth and education deserved. In vain he pointed out that
French ladies conducted themselves to their dependants with less
distance and hauteur than Englishwomen, and that in France it was
proper to do as the French did. Mrs. Phillips felt offended, and, for
the first time in her life, a little jealous--not very jealous, for she
was so conscious of her own beauty, and so unconscious of her defects
of mind and temper, that she had a strong substratum of confidence in
her husband's affection--but at this time, Elsie was looking really
very pretty; her movements were quick and graceful--a great contrast to
Mrs. Phillips's slow, dignified, Juno-like deportment--and her
conversation so sparkling and amusing, that she thought Mr. Phillips
looked at her too much, and talked to her too much. When they spoke
French together--for Mr. Phillips was trying to revive his more than
half-forgotten schoolboy French, and found he could do it more easily
with Alice than with the foreigners--Mrs. Phillips had a vague sense
that they were talking about something that they did not want her to
hear. Elsie would have enjoyed this trip exceedingly, but for Mrs.
Phillips's unreasonableness and caprices; but, even in spite of them,
she brought away many delightful recollections of scenes and people.
When on this tour, she felt as if she could write verses again, if she
had only time and quiet.

When in Paris she called on Madame Lenoir with a letter of introduction
from her cousin. She received Elsie very kindly, and asked her and the
Phillipses to her 'at homes'; but as all the people there talked
French, Mrs. Phillips did not find them at all entertaining, and she
thought French hospitality a very shabby affair. They did not remain
long in Paris, but went down to Italy, and visited Florence and Rome.
Mr. Phillips wished he had had his two eldest girls with him