In the first place, Mrs.Wood had the advantage of her husband in point of years, being on the sunny side of forty,--a period pronounced by competent judges to be the most fascinating, and, at the same time, most critical epoch of woman's existence,--whereas, he was on the shady side of fifty,--a term of life not generally conceived to have any special recommendation in female eyes.

In the next place, she really had some pretensions to beauty.

Accounted extremely pretty in her youth, her features and person expanded as she grew older, without much detriment to their original comeliness.

Hers was beauty on a large scale no doubt; but it was beauty, nevertheless: and the carpenter thought her eyes as bright, her complexion as blooming, and her figure (if a little more buxom) quite as captivating as when he led her to the altar some twenty years ago.
On the present occasion, in anticipation of Mr.Kneebone's visit, Mrs.
Wood was dressed with more than ordinary care, and in more than ordinary finery.

A dove-coloured kincob gown, embroidered with large trees, and made very low in front, displayed to the greatest possible advantage, the rounded proportions of her figure; while a high-heeled, red-leather shoe did not detract from the symmetry of a very neat ankle, and a very small foot.