It seemed to pierce you through and through, exploring your inmost thoughts, and enlightening her as to what her course of procedure should be in regard to you, before she had spoken a word, or you either.
So _I_ believed at any rate; for, to tell the honest truth, I was horribly afraid of Min's mother.

I always felt on tenter hooks in her presence, from the very first date of our acquaintanceship.
On coming into the room where Min and I were regarding Dicky Chip's performances with loving eyes, and I completely "translated" by various combinating influences, Mrs Clyde appeared to take in the situation in an instant--"an eyewink," as a minute portion of time is happily rendered in the Teutonic tongue.

Certainly, she grasped everything at a glance--even the contingency that might have possibly occurred, for, my embarrassment was not lost upon her.

I saw an anxious expression hover across her face for a second, to be quickly replaced by her ordinary society look of calm, studied suavity.
"Oh!" she exclaimed, in well-feigned astonishment at my presence--"Mr Lorton, how d'ye do!" "How do you do, Mrs Clyde ?" said I, straightening myself up, and then bending in feeble attempt at a bow.
She said nothing further for the moment, thinking it best to leave the burden of the conversation on me, so as to better promote my ease of manner and general welfare, in a "company" light.

She was dexterous in fence, was Mrs Clyde.
"Ah!" said I at length after an uncomfortable pause, "that was a delightful evening we had last night!" It was a polite falsehood; but then, one must say something when in "society" be it never so senseless and silly! "I am glad you enjoyed yourself," she answered, although she knew well enough that I had done no such thing.
"Oh, mamma!" said Min, coming to the rescue, "see what a dear little bird Mr Lorton has brought me! It is really so clever that it can almost do anything.