He seemed unused to his present circumstances, and contemptuous, not of the company nor the object for which they were assembled, but in the abstract, as if habitual contempt were part of his nature.
The clergyman, who had just conducted to the platform an elderly professor in a shabby frock coat, followed by three well-washed children, each of whom carried a concertina, now returned and sat down beside a middle-aged lady, who made herself conspicuous by using a gold framed eyeglass so as to convey an impression that she was an exceedingly keen observer.
"It is fortunate that the evening is so fine," said the clergyman to her.
"Yes, is it not, Mr.Lind ?" "My throat is always affected by bad weather, Mrs.Leith Fairfax.

I shall be so handicapped by the inevitable comparison of my elocution with yours, that I am glad the weather is favorable to me, though the comparison is not." "No," said Mrs.Fairfax, with decision.

"I am not in the least an orator.

I can repeat a poem: that is all.

Oh! I hope I have not broken my glasses." They had slipped from her nose to the floor.