Nor was she to blame because at the approach of a friend that sweet and thoughtful face would twinkle suddenly into mischief and amusement.

"She is as God made her," Phyllis Casson protested, "and He made her beautiful." It will be recognised, therefore, that there was truth in Sir John's observation that young men wanted to protect her.

But the bald statement is not sufficient.

Whether that quick transition from pensiveness to a dancing gaiety was the cause, or whether it only helped her beauty, this is certain.

Young men went down before her like ninepins in a bowling alley.