A beautiful woman is a tangible enchantment; and fame and fortune had made Katherine Challoner beautiful, roguishly, daringly, puzzlingly beautiful.

Her eyes sparkled like stars on ruffled waters, the flame of health and life burned in her cheeks, and the moist red mobile mouth expressed emotions so rapidly and irregularly as to bewilder the man who attempted to follow them.

Ah, but she could act; comedy or tragedy, it mattered not; she was always superb.
There was a tableau of short duration.

Her expression was one of gentle inquiry, his was one of interest not unmixed with fascination.
He felt a quick touch of compassion, of embarrassment.

There had been times when yonder woman had seemed to show him the preference that is given only to men who are loved.