The wild, rugged scenes through which they had passed had made her delicate beauty more exquisite from contrast.

It was as if a rare tropical bird had followed the wake of summer and graced for a time a region from which it must fly with the first breath of autumn.

In distinction from all they saw and met she appeared so fragile, such a charming exotic, that he felt an overpowering impulse to cherish and shelter her from every rude thing in the world.

With a nice blending of reserve and complaisance she appeared to yield to his mood and yet to withhold herself.

To a man of Graydon's poise and knowledge of society such skilful tactics served their purpose perfectly.