Her hair was light, and being always dressed with considerable care, did not detract from her appearance; but it lacked that richness which gives such luxuriance to feminine loveliness.

She was tall and slight, and very graceful in her movements; but there were those who thought that she wanted the ease and abandon of youth.

They said that she was too composed and stiff for her age, and that she gave but little to society beyond the beauty of her form and face.

There can be no doubt, however, that she was considered by most men and women to be the beauty of Barsetshire, and that gentlemen from neighbouring counties would come many miles through dirty roads on the mere hope of being able to dance with her.

Whatever attractions she may have lacked, she had at any rate created for herself a great reputation.
She had spent two months of the last spring in London, and even there she had made a sensation; and people had said that Lord Dumbello, Lady Hartletop's eldest son, had been peculiarly struck with her.
It may be imagined that the archdeacon was proud of her, and so, indeed, was Mrs.Grantly--more proud, perhaps, of her daughter's beauty, than so excellent a woman should have allowed herself to be of such an attribute.