At such moments there seemed nothing surprising in her having been the daughter of a martinet.
But these storms, unnerving as they were while they lasted, were quickly over, and they grew more and more exceptional.

With the return of happiness a gentle benignity flowed from the aged Queen.

Her smile, once so rare a visitant to those saddened features, flitted over them with an easy alacrity; the blue eyes beamed; the whole face, starting suddenly from its pendulous expressionlessness, brightened and softened and cast over those who watched it an unforgettable charm.

For in her last years there was a fascination in Victoria's amiability which had been lacking even from the vivid impulse of her youth.

Over all who approached her--or very nearly all--she threw a peculiar spell.