I suppose the old squire got tired of her being so select, and thought he would like a change.
He was a character, you know.

I often think Peter will be a character when he grows old.

He is so disagreeable at times." "I thought you were so fond of Peter ?" said John, looking amusedly down on the little chatterbox beside him.
"Not exactly fond of him.

It's just that I'm _used_ to him," said Sarah, colouring all over her clear, fresh face, even to the little tendrils of red hair on her white neck.
She wore a blue cotton frock, and a brown mushroom hat, with a wreath of wild roses which had somewhat too obviously been sewn on in a hurry and crookedly; and she looked far more like a village schoolgirl than a young lady who was shortly to make her _debut_ in London society.
But he was struck with the extraordinary brilliancy of her complexion, transparent and pure as it was, in the searching sunlight.
"If she were not so round-shouldered--if the features were better--her expression softer," said John to himself--"if divine colouring were all--she would be beautiful." But her wide, smiling mouth, short-tipped nose, and cleft chin, conveyed rather the impression of childish audacity than of feminine charm.

The glance of those bright, inquisitive eyes was like a wild robin's, half innocent, half bold.