In spite of these drawbacks, she was still a striking, I might almost say a startling, creature, when you first looked at her.
And, though she only wore the plainest widow's weeds, I don't scruple to assert that she was the most perfectly dressed woman I ever saw.
Minna made a modest attempt to present me in due form.

Her mother put her aside playfully, and held out both her long white powerful hands to me as cordially as if we had known each other for years.
"I wait to prove other people before I accept them for my friends," she said.

"Mr.David, you have been more than kind to my daughter--and _you_ are my friend at our first meeting." I believe I repeat the words exactly.

I wish I could give any adequate idea of the exquisite charm of voice and manner which accompanied them.
And yet, I was not at my ease with her--I was not drawn to her irresistibly, as I had felt drawn to her daughter.

Those dark, steady, heavy-lidded eyes of hers seemed to be looking straight into my heart, and surprising all my secrets.