These things, contrary to her custom, and even nature--for she was not secretive--were most sedulously kept out of sight for a time; but one evening, when she was going to a large party for which particular care and elegance of costume were demanded, she could not resist coming to my chamber to show herself in all her splendour.
Beautiful she looked: so young, so fresh, and with a delicacy of skin and flexibility of shape altogether English, and not found in the list of continental female charms.

Her dress was new, costly, and perfect.

I saw at a glance that it lacked none of those finishing details which cost so much, and give to the general effect such an air of tasteful completeness.
I viewed her from top to toe.

She turned airily round that I might survey her on all sides.

Conscious of her charms, she was in her best humour: her rather small blue eyes sparkled gleefully.