She kept her eyes fixed on the pug-dog, and with good reason; as far as appearances went, he was indisputably the nobler animal of the two.
Under the circumstances, the interview threatened to begin in a very embarrassing manner.

Moody, disheartened by Isabel's silence, made no attempt to set the conversation going; he looked as if he meditated a hasty retreat to the railway station which he had just left.
Fortunately, he had at his side the right man (for once) in the right place.

Old Sharon's effrontery was equal to any emergency.
"I am not a nice-looking old man, my dear, am I ?" he said, leering at Isabel with cunning, half-closed eyes.

"Bless your heart! you'll soon get used to me! You see, I am the sort of color, as they say at the linen-drapers, that doesn't wash well.

It's all through love; upon my life it is! Early in the present century I had my young affections blighted; and I've neglected myself ever since.