The very lack of ornament but served to center the attention upon the charms that so loudly professed to scorn them.

It was worldliness speaking in the quiet voice of religion.

It was vulgarity advertising itself in terms of good taste.

She had made modesty the handmaiden of blatant immodesty, and the daring impudence of it all fairly stunned the painter.
"Oh dear!" she said, watching his face, "I fear you don't like it, at all--and I thought it such a beautiful little gown.

You told me to wear whatever I pleased, you know." "It _is_ a beautiful gown," he said--then added impulsively, "and you are beautiful in it.