The possibility pleaded strongly on her behalf, while the darker possibility weighted by his uncle's reputation plucked at him from below.
She was delightful to hear, delightful to see; and her friends loved her and had faith in her.

So clever a woman might be too clever for her friends!...
The circle he moved in hummed of women, prompting novices as well as veterans to suspect that the multitude of them, and notably the fairest, yet more the cleverest, concealed the serpent somewhere.
She certainly had not directed any of her arts upon him.

Besides he was half engaged.

And that was a burning perplexity; not because of abstract scruples touching the necessity for love in marriage.

The young lady, great heiress though she was, and willing, as she allowed him to assume; graceful too, reputed a beauty; struck him cold.