for Mr Glascock was six feet tall; nor was he better dressed, for
Stanbury was untidy rather than otherwise in his outward person.
Nor had he any air of fashion or special grace to recommend him,
for he was undoubtedly an awkward-mannered man. But there was a
glance of sunshine in his eye, and a sweetness in the curl of his
mouth when he smiled, which made Nora feel that it would have been
all up with her had she not made so very strong a law for her own
guidance. Stanbury was a man about five feet ten, with shoulders
more than broad in proportion, stout limbed, rather awkward of his
gait, with large feet and hands, with soft wavy light hair, with
light grey eyes, with a broad, but by no means ugly, nose. His
mouth and lips were large, and he rarely showed his teeth. He wore
no other beard than whiskers, which he was apt to cut away through
heaviness of his hand in shaving, till Nora longed to bid him be more
careful. 'He doesn't care what sort of a guy he makes of himself,
she once said to her sister, almost angrily. 'He is a plain man,
and he knows it,' Emily had replied. Mr Trevelyan was doubtless a
handsome man, and it was almost on Nora's tongue to say something
ill-natured on the subject. Hugh Stanbury was reputed to be somewhat
hot in spirit and manner. He would be very sage in argument, pounding
down his ideas on politics, religion, or social life with his fist
as well as his voice. He was quick, perhaps, at making antipathies,
and quick, too, in making friendships; impressionable, demonstrative,
eager, rapid in his movements sometimes to the great detriment of
his shins and knuckles; and he possessed the sweetest temper that
was ever given to a man for the blessing of a woman. This was the
man between whom and Mr Glascock Nora Rowley found it to be impossible
not to make comparisons.

On the very day after Lady Milborough's dinner party Stanbury