It was believed also that she was very rich.

The rumours of all these things together had made her a person of note, and Tregear, when he found himself alone in the drawing-room, looked round about him as though a special interest was to be attached to the belongings of such a woman.

It was a pretty room, somewhat dark, because the curtains were almost closed across the windows, but furnished with a pretty taste, and now, in these early April days, filled with flowers.
"I have to apologise, Mr.Tregear, for keeping you waiting," she said as she entered the room.
"I fear I was before my time." "I know that I am after mine,--a few minutes," said the lady.
He told himself that though she was not a young woman, yet she was attractive.

She was dark, and still wore her black hair in curls, such as are now seldom seen with ladies.

Perhaps the reduced light of the chamber had been regulated with some regard to her complexion and to her age.