Her manner had the essential self-possession which is the birthright of the American woman.

But it suggested reserve, and a curious absence of any young desire to make an effect.
As for Mrs.Burgoyne, long before dinner was over, she had divined a great many things about the new-comer, and amongst them the girl's disapproval of herself.

'After all'-- she thought--'if she only knew it, she is a beauty.
What a trouble it must have been first to find, and then to make that dress!--Ill luck!--And her hair! Who on earth taught her to drag it back like that?
If one could only loosen it, how beautiful it would be! What is it?
Is it Puritanism?
Has she been brought up to go to meetings and sit under a minister?
Were her forbears married in drawing-rooms and under trees?
The Fates were certainly frolicking when they brought her here! How am I to keep Edward in order ?' And suddenly, with a little signalling of eye and brow, she too conveyed to Manisty, who was looking listlessly towards her, that he was behaving as badly as even she could have expected.

He made a little face that only she saw, but he turned to Miss Foster and began to talk,--all the time adding to the mountain of crumbs beside him, and scarcely waiting to listen to the girl's answers.
'You came by Pisa ?' 'Yes.

Mrs.Lewinson found me an escort--' 'It was a mistake--' he said, hurrying his words like a schoolboy.