it fell. In her eyes, perhaps, the secret lay,--they were violet-
grey in hue, and drowsy-lidded, with long lashes that swept the
delicate pale cheeks in a dark golden fringe of shadow, through
which the sparkle of vision gleamed,--now warningly, now tenderly,--
and anon, these same half-shut and deep fringed lids would open
wide, letting the full brilliance of the soul behind the eyes pour
forth its luminance, in flashes of such lightning-like clearness and
compelling force, that it was impossible not to recognise something
higher than mere woman in the dazzle of that spiritual glory. In
figure she was wonderfully slight,--so slight indeed that she
suggested a delicate willow-withe such as can be bent and curved
with one hand--yet this slightness stood her in good stead, for
being united with extreme suppleness, it gave her a grace of
movement resembling that of some skimming mountain bird or sea-
swallow, which flies with amazing swiftness yet seeming slowness.
Angela never moved quickly,--no one had ever seen her in what is
termed a "rush," or a vulgar hurry. She did everything she had to do
without haste, without noise, without announcement or assertion of
any kind;--and all that she did was done as perfectly as her ability
could warrant. And that ability was very great indeed, and displayed
itself in small details as well as large attempts. Whether she
merely twisted her golden-brown hair into a knot, or tied a few
flowers together and fastened them on her dress with a pearl pin,
either thing was perfectly done--without a false line or a
discordant hue. Her face, form, voice and colouring were like a
chord of music, harmonious,--and hence the impression of
satisfaction and composure her presence always gave. In herself she
was a creature of remarkable temperament and character;--true
womanly in every delicate sentiment, fancy and feeling, but with
something of the man-hero in her scorn of petty aims, her delight in