been too thick according
to some physiognomists, giving rather a stern expression to the eyes,
and hence causing those guilty ones to tremble who came under her lash),
but her complexion was as dazzlingly fair and her cheeks as red as
Miss Rosey's own, who had a right to those beauties, being a blonde by
nature. In Miss Ethel's black hair there was a slight natural ripple, as
when a fresh breeze blows over the melan hudor--a ripple such as Roman
ladies nineteen hundred years ago, and our own beauties a short
time since, endeavoured to imitate by art, paper, and I believe
crumpling-irons. Her eyes were grey; her mouth rather large; her teeth
as regular and bright as Lady Kew's own; her voice low and sweet; and
her smile, when it lighted up her face and eyes, as beautiful as spring
sunshine; also they could lighten and flash often, and sometimes,
though rarely, rain. As for her figure--but as this tall slender form is
concealed in a simple white muslin robe (of the sort which I believe is
called demi-toilette), in which her fair arms are enveloped, and which
is confined at her slim waist by an azure ribbon, and descends to her
feet--let us make a respectful bow to that fair image of Youth, Health,
and Modesty, and fancy it as pretty as we will. Miss Ethel made a very
stately curtsey to Mrs. Mackenzie, surveying that widow calmly, so that
the elder lady looked up and fluttered; but towards Rosey she held
out her hand, and smiled with the utmost kindness, and the smile was
returned by the other; and the blushes with which Miss Mackenzie
was always ready at this time, became her very much. As for Mrs.
Mackenzie--the very largest curve that shall not be a caricature, and
actually disfigure the widow's countenance--a smile so wide and steady,
so exceedingly rident, indeed, as almost to be ridiculous, may be drawn
upon her buxom face, if the artist chooses to attempt it as it appeared
during the whole of this summer evening, before dinner came (when people
ordinarily look very grave), when she was introduced to the company:
when she was made known to our friends Julia and Maria,--the darling
child, lovely little dears! how like their papa and mamma!--when Sir
Brian Newcome gave her his arm downstairs to the dining-room when
anybody spoke to her: when John offered her meat, or the gentleman in
the white waistcoat, wine; when she accepted or when she refused these
refreshments; when Mr. Newcome told her a dreadfully stupid story;