He was a tall thin man, apparently not more than thirty years of age, looking in all respects like a gentleman, but with nothing in his appearance that was remarkable.

It was a face that you might see and forget, and see again and forget again; and yet when you looked at it and pulled it to pieces, you found that it was a fairly good face, showing intellect in the forehead, and much character in the mouth.

The eyes too, though not to be called bright, had always something to say for themselves, looking as though they had a real meaning.

But the outline of the face was almost insignificant, being too thin; and he wore no beard to give it character.

But, indeed, Mr Palliser was a man who had never thought of assisting his position in the world by his outward appearance.