She affected the manner of, she demanded the respect due to, a queen.

And by many of those dexterous arts which the sex know so well, she contrived to render her very courtesy a humiliation to her haughty guests.

Her commanding beauty and her graceful intellect saved her, indeed, from the vulgar insolence of the upstart; but yet more keenly stung the pride, by forbidding to those she mortified the retaliation of contempt.

Hers were the covert taunt--the smiling affront--the sarcasm in the mask of compliment--the careless exaction of respect in trifles, which could not outwardly be resented, but which could not inly be forgiven.
"Fair day to the Signora Colonna," said she to the proud wife of the proud Stephen; "we passed your palace yesterday.

How fair it now seems, relieved from those gloomy battlements which it must often have saddened you to gaze upon.