He was one of those oppressively quiet men who possess the unhappy knack of appearing wholly out of touch with all social surroundings.

There was a reticence about him which almost all took for surliness, but which was in reality merely a somewhat unattractive mixture of awkwardness and laziness.
He was in the Royal Engineers, and believed to be a very clever man in his profession.

But there was never anything in the least bright or original in his conversation.

Yet, for some vague reason, Molly credited him with the ability to do great deeds, and was particularly gracious to him.
Mrs.Langdale, who was lively herself, infinitely preferred Charlie Cleveland's boisterous company, and on the present occasion she rose to follow him with great promptitude.
"I must find out how he has managed the rest of his costume," she said to Molly.

"It is sure to be strikingly original--like himself." The contempt deepened a little on Molly's face, contempt and regret--an odd mixture.
"He is very funny, no doubt," she said; "but I think one gets a little tired of his perpetual gaiety.