He had a genius for appearing at the critical moment and for promptly clearing away all difficulties.
Almost unconsciously she was forced into comparing him with Maryon Rooke--Rooke, with his curious fascination and detached, half-cynical outlook on life, his beautiful ideals and--Nan's inner self flinched from the acknowledgment--his frequent fallings-short of them.

Unwillingly she had to confess to the fact that Maryon was something both of poseur and actor, with an ineradicable streak of cynicism in his composition added to a strange undercurrent of passion which he rarely allowed to carry him away.

Apart from this he was genuine, creative artist.

Whereas Peter Mallory, beautifully unself-conscious, was helpful in a simple, straightforward way that gave one a feeling of steadfast reliance upon him.

And she liked his whimsical smile.
She was more than ever sure of the latter fact when he joined her in the car, remarking smilingly: "This is a great bit of luck for me.