The abundant hair was parted simply and smoothly from her forehead and tightly plaited behind; she wore a linen collar, and, so far as could be judged from the portion included in the picture, a homely cloth gown.

Her features were comely and intelligent, and exhibited a gentleness, almost a meekness of expression which was as far as possible from seeming affected.

Whether she smiled or looked sad Hilliard had striven vainly to determine.

Her lips appeared to smile, but in so slight a degree that perchance it was merely an effect of natural line; whereas, if the mouth were concealed, a profound melancholy at once ruled the visage.
Who she was Hilliard had no idea.

More than once he had been on the point of asking his landlady, but characteristic delicacies restrained him: he feared Mrs.Brewer's mental comment, and dreaded the possible disclosure that he had admired a housemaid or someone of yet lower condition.