He knew nothing as yet of Dale's offer, or of Bell's refusal, but he was prepared for war, if war should be necessary.

Of the squire, at the present moment, he was not very fond; but if his destiny intended to give him a wife out of this family, he should prefer the owner of Allington and nephew of Lord De Guest as a brother-in-law to a village doctor,--as he took upon himself, in his pride, to call Dr Crofts.
"It is very unfortunate," said he, "but I never do like Paragons." "But you must like this Paragon.

Not that he is a Paragon at all, for he smokes and hunts, and does all manner of wicked things." And then she went forward to welcome her friend.
Dr Crofts was a slight, spare man, about five feet nine in height, with very bright dark eyes, a broad forehead, with dark hair that almost curled, but which did not come so forward over his brow as it should have done for purposes of beauty,--with a thin well-cut nose, and a mouth that would have been perfect had the lips been a little fuller.

The lower part of his face, when seen alone, had in it somewhat of sternness, which, however, was redeemed by the brightness of his eyes.

And yet an artist would have declared that the lower features of his face were by far the more handsome.
Lily went across to him and greeted him heartily, declaring how glad she was to have him there.