"And my big nose?"
He pretended to appraise it judicially.
"It's a size smaller. Perhaps a size and a half."
She laughed delightedly. It was a new thing for Robert to pay attention to such physical details.
"Well, as long as you say it's a change for the better—"
"I don't," he said, affecting a stern tone. "Not in the least. Do you know what? I'm afraid you're fast turning yourself into one of these popular Paul Helleu beauties, a Parisian version of the Penrhyn Stanlaws girl."
"I wish I could. But I'm not a magician, Robert."
"Oh, there's no magic about it. Any girl can do it, if—"
"If, of course. Let's hear the gigantic if."
"If she has a very moderate allotment of brains and looks, and a single-minded passion for beautifying herself."