Her face, between long lace lappets, looked as clearly pallid and passively reflective as the pearls.

Not a muscle stirred about her calm mouth and the smooth triangle of forehead between her curtain slants of gray hair.

If she speculated deeply within herself, and was agitated over the delay, not a restless glance of her steadily mild eyes betrayed it.
People wondered a little that she should not be busied about the bridal preparations, instead of waiting there like any other guest; but it was said that Dorothy had refused absolutely to have any helping hands but those of her old black slave woman about her.

It was known, too, that Dorothy had only once taken tea with Burr's mother since the engagement, and everybody speculated as to how they would get on together.

Dorothy had, in truth, received the rigorously courteous overtures of her future mother with the polite offishness of a scared but well-trained child, and the proud elder woman had not increased them.
"When she comes here to live I shall do my duty by her, but I shall not force myself upon her," she told Burr.