There was still animation, and the note of intellectual impatience was touched occasionally, but the world had ripened him, his judgments were based on sounder knowledge, he was more polished, more considerate--'gentler,' Adela afterwards said to herself.

And decidedly he had gained in personal appearance; a good deal of the bright, eager boy had remained with him in his days of storm and stress, but now his features had the repose of maturity and their refinement had fixed itself in lines of strength.
He talked solely of the present, discussed with her the season's pictures, the books, the idle business of the town.

At length she found herself able to meet his glance without fear, even to try and read its character.

She thought of the day when her mother told her of his wickedness.

Since then she had made acquaintance with wickedness in various forms, and now she marvelled at the way in which she had regarded him.