Everywhere stood vases of heavy-scented hothouse flowers.
Mrs.Duff-Whalley approved of hothouse flowers; she said they gave a tone to a room.
The whole room glittered, and its mistress glittered with it as she moved about in a dress largely composed of sequins, a diamond necklace, and a startling ornament in her hair.
She turned as the door opened and her daughter came into the room, and looked her carefully up and down.

She was a pretty girl dressed in the extreme of fashion, and under each arm she carried a tiny barking dog.
Muriel was a good daughter to her mother, and an exemplary character in every way, but the odd thing was that few people liked her.

This was the more tragic as it was the desire of her heart to be popular.

Her appearance was attractive, and strangers usually began acquaintance with enthusiasm, but the attraction rarely survived the first hour's talk.
She was like a very well-coloured and delightful-looking apple that is without flavour.

She was never natural--always aping someone.