alutationpassedbetweenherandMr.Crimsworthshechidhim,halfplayfully,halfpoutingly,forbeinglatehervoice(Ialwaystakevoicesintotheaccountinjudgingofcharacter)waslively—itindicated,Ithought,goodanimalspirits.Mr.Crimsworthsooncheckedheranimatedscoldingwithakiss—akissthatstilltoldofthebridegroom(theyhadnotyetbeenmarriedayear)shetookherseatatthesupper-tableinfirst-ratespirits.Perceivingme,shebeggedmypardonfornotnoticingmebefore,andthenshookhandswithme,asladiesdowhenaflowofgood-humourdisposesthemtobecheerfultoall,eventhemostindifferentoftheiracquaintance.Itwasnowfurtherobvioustomethatshehadagoodcomplexion,andfeaturessufficientlymarkedbutagreeableherhairwasred—quitered.SheandEdwardtalkedmuch,alwaysinaveinofplayfulcontentionshewasvexed,orpretendedtobevexed,thathehadthatdaydrivenavicioushorseinthegig,andhemadelightofherfears.Sometimessheappealedtome.
“‘Now,Mr.William,isn’titabsurdinEdwardtotalkso?HesayshewilldriveJack,andnootherhorse,andthebrutehasthrownhimtwicealready.
“Shespokewithakindoflisp,notdisagreeable,butchildish.Isoonsawalsothattherewasmorethangirlish—asomewhatinfantineexpressioninherbynomeanssmallfeaturesthislispandexpressionwere,Ihavenodoubt,acharminEdward’seyes,andwouldbesotothoseofmostmen,buttheywerenottomine.Isoughthereye,desiroustoreadtheretheintelligencewhichIcouldnotdiscerninherfaceorhearinherconversationitwasmerry,rathersmallbyturnsIsawvivacity,vanity,coquetry,lookoutthroughitsirid,butIwatchedinvainforaglimpseofsoul.IamnoOrientalwhitenecks,carminelipsandcheeks,clustersofbrightcurls,donotsufficeformewithoutthatPrometheansparkwhichwillliveaftertherosesandliliesarefaded,theburnishedhairgrowngrey.Insunshine,inprosperity,theflowersareverywellbuthowmanywetdaysarethereinlife—Novemberseasonsofdisaster,whenaman’shearthandhomewouldbecoldindeed,withouttheclear,cheeringgleamofintellect.
“Havingperusedthefairpag