The mouth that said 'I guard my rooms' was not obtruded; she talked passingly of her brother, much of Lady Arpington and of old Mr.Woodseer; and, though she reserved a smile, there was no look of a lock on her face.

She seemed pleased to be treated very courteously; she returned the stately politeness in exactest measure; very simply, as well.

Her face had now an air of homeliness, well suited to an English household interior.

She could chat.

Any pauses occurring, he was the one guilty of them; she did not allow them to be barrier chasms, or 'strids' for the leap with effort; she crossed them like the mountain maid over a gorge's plank--kept her tones perfectly.