The advent of a stranger was an event of importance in the small social world of Newville.

Mr.Harrison Cordis, the new clerk in the drug-store, might well have been flattered by the attention which he excited at church the next day, especially from the fairer half of the congregation.
Far, however, from appearing discomposed thereby, he returned it with such interest that at least half the girls thought they had captivated him by the end of the morning service.

They all agreed that he was awfully handsome, though Laura maintained that he was rather too pretty for a man.

He was certainly very pretty.

His figure was tall, slight, and elegant.