g a succession of Red
Rovers--each capable of boarding him at a minute's notice, and making
all his affections walk the plank. Her tunic of iron-gray velvet,
without fitting tightly to her figure, still did it fair justice; and,
from the tie of her neck-ribbon, down to the wonderful boots that slid
in and out from under the striped scarlet kirtle over which her dress
was looped up, there was not the minutest detail that might not have
challenged and baffled criticism.

Royston Keene appreciated all this thoroughly. No man alive held the
stale old adage of "Beauty when unadorned," etc., in profounder scorn. A
pair of badly-fitting gloves, a soiled _collerette_, or a tumbled dress,
had cured more than one of the fever fits of his younger days; and he
was ten times as fastidious now.

He drew a long, slow breath of intense enjoyment, as a thirsty cricketer
may do after the first deep draught of claret-cup that rewards a two
hours' innings. "It's very refreshing, after weeks of total abstinence,
to see a woman who goes in for dress, and does it thoroughly well." He
had no time for more, for the others were almost within hearing.

When the introductions were over, Mrs. Danvers said she was tired, and
must rest a little. Very few words will do justice to her personal
appearance. Brevity, and breadth, and bluntness were her chief
characteristics, which applied equally to her figure, her face, and her
extremities, and, not unfrequently, to her speech too. Her health was
really infirm, but she never could attain the object of many an
invalid's harmless ambition--looking interesting. Illness made her
cheeks look pasty, but not pale; it could not fine down the coarsely
moulded features, or purify their ignoble outline. Her voice was against
her, certainly; perhaps this was the reason why, when she bemoaned
herself, so many irreverent and hard-hearted reprobates called it
"whining." It was very unfortunate; for few could be found, even in the
somewhat exacting class to which she belonged, more anxious and active
in enlisting sympathy. She was looking especially ill-tempered just
then, but Major Keene was not easily daunted, and he went in at her
straight and gallantly--about the weather, it is needless to say, both
being English. While Mrs. Danvers was disagreeing with him, Cecil took
her turn at inspection. Royston's name was familiar to her, of course,
for no one ever talked to Mrs. Molyneux for ten minutes without hearing
it.