much to lose as beauty had, would hold, when that would evaporate or
fly off:--nay, for that matter,' [and again she turned to the glass]
'her features were not irregular; her eyes not at all amiss.' And I
remember they were more than usually brilliant at that time.--
'Nothing, in short, to be found fault with, though nothing very
engaging she doubted--was there, Clary.'

Excuse me, my dear, I never was thus particular before; no, not to
you. Nor would I now have written thus freely of a sister, but that
she makes a merit to my brother of disowning that she ever liked him;
as I shall mention hereafter: and then you will always have me give
you minute descriptions, nor suffer me to pass by the air and manner
in which things are spoken that are to be taken notice of; rightly
observing, that air and manner often express more than the
accompanying words.

I congratulated her upon her prospects. She received my compliments
with a great deal of self-complacency.

She liked the gentleman still more at his next visit; and yet he made
no particular address to her, although an opportunity was given him
for it. This was wondered at, as my uncle has introduced him into our
family declaredly as a visitor to my sister. But as we are ever ready
to make excuses when in good humour with ourselves for the perhaps not
unwilful slights of those whose approbation we wish to engage; so my
sister found out a reason much to Mr. Lovelace's advantage for his not
improving the opportunity that was given him.--It was bashfulness,
truly, in him. [Bashfulness in Mr. Lovelace, my dear!]--Indeed, gay
and lively as he is, he has not the look of an impudent man. But, I
fancy, it is many, many years ago since he was bashful.