He looked, as he was, very young to be a Lieutenant-Colonel, and uncommonly fragile for a V.C.At any time he would look delicate, and he was the paler for the fact that at times he still suffered considerable pain from his wound.

But there was force in his delicate, distinguished face.

His sensitive lips could set very firm; his chin was square; his nose had a rather heavy bridge, and usually his grey eyes were cold and very keen.

He gave the impression of being wrought of finely-tempered steel.
His eyes were shining so brightly at the moment that they had lost their keenness with their coldness.

He marked joyfully the flush on her face, and did not know that he was flushing himself.
About five feet away he stopped, gazing, or rather staring, at her, and said in a tone of fervent conviction: "Heavens, Olivia! What a beautiful and entrancing creature you are!" She smiled, flushing more deeply.