"Plain, but uncommon-looking," was the opinion of the gentlemen on the
subject. The open, intelligent, and womanly expression of countenance--the
well-turned neck and shoulders--the easy, well-proportioned
figure--though not of the slight ethereal style which Mr. Hawthorne
admires, but rather of the healthy, well-developed flesh-and-blood
character of British feminine beauty--might redeem a good deal of
irregularity of features.

Though her self-possession had been sorely tried on this day, though
she had been disappointed, and was now worn out and perplexed, and
though her faith in human nature had been shaken, she made an effort to
recover the equanimity necessary for such an evening as this, and
succeeded. Her quiet and lady-like manner surprised Mr. Rennie; he had
thought her masculine in the morning. She listened with patience and
pleasure to Miss Rennie's playing and singing, and then looked
over some books of engravings and prints with the old gentleman, who
was a connoisseur. And when the advocate and the publisher, between
whom there seemed to be a good understanding, entered into conversation
on literary matters, and successful and unsuccessful works, she,
thinking of her sister and her hopes, listened most attentively.

"Well," said the legal gentleman, "I like smart, clever writing, and
don't object to a little personality now and then. It pays, too."

"Those things certainly take well," said the publisher, "but there are
other things that take better."

"What are they?"