“No; except I may call my brother's wife one.”
“Tell me of her. Is she young?—is she handsome?”
“She is not young, but she is still a very handsome woman.”
“Dark or fair?”
“Very dark, almost Spanish in complexion; a great deal of haughtiness in her look, but great courtesy when she pleases.”
“Would she like me?”
“Of course she would,” said he, with a smile and a bow; but a flush covered his face at the bare thought of their meeting.
“I 'm not so certain you are telling the truth there,” said she, laughing; “and yet you know there can be no offence in telling me I should not suit some one I have never seen; do, then, be frank with me, and say what would she think of me.”
“To begin,” said he, laughing, “she 'd say you were very beautiful—”
“'Exquisitely beautiful,' was the phrase of that old gentleman that got into the next carriage; and I like it better.”