A spare, vivacious, pathetically sanguine man, always speaking of the day when he would "settle down" in enjoyment of a moderate fortune, and most obviously doomed never to settle at all, save in the final home of mortality.
Mrs.Lessingham and her niece entered the room.

On Cecily, as usual, all eyes were more or less openly directed.

Her evening dress was simple--though with the simplicity not to be commanded by every one who wills--and her demeanour very far from exacting general homage; but her birthright of distinction could not be laid aside, and the suave Mrs.
Gluck was not singular in recognizing that here was such a guest as did not every day grace her _pension_.

Barbara and Madeline Denyer never looked at her without secret pangs.

In appearance, however, they were very friendly, and Cecily had met their overtures from the first with the simple goodwill natural to her.