It was frank and gay--with just that tinge of old-fashioned reserve which might be thought natural in a girl of gentle breeding, brought up alone by a fastidious father.

With all her impetuosity, indeed, there was about her something markedly virginal and remote, which is commoner, perhaps, in Irish than English women.
Mrs.Colwood watched the effect of it on Captain Roughsedge.

After her third day of acquaintance with him, she said to herself: "He will fall in love with her!" But she said it with compassion, and without troubling to speculate on the lady.

Whereas, with regard to the Marsham visit, she already--she could hardly have told why--found herself full of curiosity.
Meanwhile, in the few days which elapsed before that visit was due, Diana was much called on by the country-side.

The girl restrained her restlessness, and sat at home, receiving everybody with a friendliness which might have been insipid but for its grace and spontaneity.