Both looked attractive as glassed back by the faithful reflector; but Grace's countenance had the effect of making Mrs.Charmond appear more than her full age.

There are complexions which set off each other to great advantage, and there are those which antagonize, the one killing or damaging its neighbor unmercifully.

This was unhappily the case here.
Mrs.Charmond fell into a meditation, and replied abstractedly to a cursory remark of her companion's.

However, she parted from her young friend in the kindliest tones, promising to send and let her know as soon as her mind was made up on the arrangement she had suggested.
When Grace had ascended nearly to the top of the adjoining slope she looked back, and saw that Mrs.Charmond still stood at the door, meditatively regarding her.
Often during the previous night, after his call on the Melburys, Winterborne's thoughts ran upon Grace's announced visit to Hintock House.

Why could he not have proposed to walk with her part of the way?
Something told him that she might not, on such an occasion, care for his company.
He was still more of that opinion when, standing in his garden next day, he saw her go past on the journey with such a pretty pride in the event.