What did this fakir know about manhood and womanhood?
And could there be any more pitiful, more paltry wasting of time than in studying out and performing such insincerities as his life was made up of?
True, Mrs.Houghton, of those funny, fashionable New Yorkers who act as if they had only just arrived at the estate of servants and carriages, and are always trying to impress even passing strangers with their money and their grandeur--true, Mrs.
Houghton was most provocative to anger or amused disdain at the fashionable life.

But not even Mrs.Houghton seemed to Margaret so cheap and pitiful as this badly-dressed, mussy politician, as much an actor as Mrs.Houghton and as poor at the trade, but choosing low comedy for his unworthy attempts where Mrs.Houghton was at least trying to be something refined.
With that instinct for hostility which is part of the equipment of every sensitively-nerved man of action, Craig soon turned toward her, addressed himself to her; and the others, glad to be free, fell away.
Margaret was looking her best.

White was extremely becoming to her; pink--pale pink--being next in order.

Her dress was of white, with facings of delicate pale pink, and the white plumes in her hat were based in pale pink, which also lined the inside of the brim.

She watched him, and, now that it was once more his personality pitted directly and wholly against hers, she, in spite of herself, began to yield to him again her respect--the respect every intelligent person must feel for an individuality that is erect and strong.