His was by no means a character easy to read.

One would be sure to be startled by new developments and curious contradictions.

I had known him only for ten days; but then we had met constantly in that short time.

I had seen him hard in manner and soft in speech, cool, critical, and disparaging, at one moment satirical and provoking, the next full of thoughtfulness and readiness to help.

No wonder I found it difficult to comprehend him.
When we had finished discussing the Blagroves, Mr.Hamilton turned his attention to his other guests, and tried to promote the general conversation: this left me at liberty to make my own observations.
Miss Hamilton sat at the top of the table facing her brother, and Uncle Max and Mr.Tudor were beside her; but she did not speak to either of them unless they addressed her, and her replies seemed to be very brief.
If I had been less interested in her I might have accused her of want of animation, for it is hardly playing the _role_ of a hostess to look beautiful and be chary of words and smiles.
It was impossible to attribute her silence to absence of mind, for she followed with grave attention every word that was spoken; but for some inexplicable reason she had withdrawn into herself.