As soon as she came in the courtyard (and she was a rather frequent visitor) it seemed I was aware of it.

She had an air of angelic candour, yet of a high spirit; she stepped like a Diana, every movement was noble and free.

One day there was a strong east wind; the banner was straining at the flagstaff; below us the smoke of the city chimneys blew hither and thither in a thousand crazy variations; and away out on the Forth we could see the ships lying down to it and scudding.

I was thinking what a vile day it was, when she appeared.

Her hair blew in the wind with changes of colour; her garments moulded her with the accuracy of sculpture; the ends of her shawl fluttered about her ear and were caught in again with an inimitable deftness.