Alas for Diana! the day had been when Valentine Hawkehurst considered her very handsome, and had need to fight a hard battle with himself in order not to fall in love with her.

He had been conqueror in that struggle of prudence and honour against nascent love, only to be vanquished utterly by Charlotte's brighter charms and Charlotte's sunnier nature.
The two girls shook hands with Mr.Hawkehurst.An indifferent observer might have perceived that the colour faded from the face of one, while a blush mounted to the cheeks of the other.

But Valentine did not see the sudden pallor of Diana's face--he had eyes only for Charlotte's blushes.

Nor did Charlotte herself perceive the sudden change in her dearest friend's countenance.

And that perhaps is the bitterest sting of all.