It was not necessary to approach him closely to be aware that his person was sprinkled with perfumes.

A recent acquisition was a heavy-looking ring on the little finger of his right hand.

Had you been of his intimates, 'Arry would have explained to you the double advantage of this ring; not only did it serve as an adornment, but, as playful demonstration might indicate, it would prove of singular efficacy in pugilistic conflict.
At the sight of his elder brother, 'Arry hastily put his hands beneath the table, drew off the ornament, and consigned it furtively to his waistcoat pocket.
But Alice Maud was by no means what she had been.

In all that concerned his sister, Mutimer was weak; he could quarrel with her, and abuse her roundly for frailties, but none the less was it one of his keenest pleasures to see her contented, even in ways that went quite against his conscience.

He might rail against the vanity of dress, but if Alice needed a new gown, Richard was the first to notice it.