I knew, to be sure, that it was the dear girl's kindness, but I liked to be so pleasantly cheated.
When we went downstairs, we were presented to Mr.Skimpole, who was standing before the fire telling Richard how fond he used to be, in his school-time, of football.

He was a little bright creature with a rather large head, but a delicate face and a sweet voice, and there was a perfect charm in him.

All he said was so free from effort and spontaneous and was said with such a captivating gaiety that it was fascinating to hear him talk.

Being of a more slender figure than Mr.
Jarndyce and having a richer complexion, with browner hair, he looked younger.

Indeed, he had more the appearance in all respects of a damaged young man than a well-preserved elderly one.