Her countenance was a fine oval; her features, though not strictly symmetrical, were replete with animation, and her eyes sparkled with a brilliancy indicative of a warm heart and a quick apprehension.

Flaxen hair, long and luxuriant, decided, even at a distant glance, the loveliness of her skin, than which the unsunned snow could not be whiter.

If you add to this a delightful temper, buoyant spirits, and extreme candor, her character, in its strongest points, is before you.
On reaching the bottom of the Grassy Quarry, as it was called, she peered under the little beetling cliff that overhung the well-known ledge on which Lamh Laudher sat.
"I declare, John," said she, on seeing him, "I thought at first you weren't here." "Did you ever know me to be late!--" said John, taking her by the hand, and placing her beside him; "and what would you a' done, Ellen, if I hadn't been here ?" "Why, run home as if the life was lavin' me, for fear of seein' something." "You needn't be afeard, Ellen, dear; nothing could harm you, at all events.

However, puttin' that aside, have you any betther tidin's than you had when we met last ?" "I wish to heaven I had, John! but indeed I have far worse; ay, a thousand times worse.

They have all joined against me, an' I'm not to see or speak to you at all." "That's hard," replied Lamh Laudher, drawing his breath tightly; "but I know where it comes from.