But however philosophers may settle this question, it can hardly be doubted that no young girl devoid of beauty, was ever yet persuaded that to be unattractive in appearance, was otherwise than a very, very sore affliction and misfortune.

Nature often kindly mitigates the blow by making the unlovely girl unconscious of her want of beauty.
But this was not the case with the young Contessa Violante Marliani.
Violante knew that she was not beautiful, or even pretty.

Probably in her own estimate of herself she exaggerated her plainness.

She was one of those persons who have not the gift of self-deception.

Neither was she elegant in person.