She saw them coming, and waited at the corner, and Louis jumped out of the carriage, followed by the Captain, and went to meet her.
She was wearing a navy blue motor-cap, a coat and skirt of the same colour, and sable furs. She had the brightest, sunniest face, Kenneth thought, that he had ever seen. Her hair was a lovely shade of brown, her eyes were grey; she had a clear complexion, rosy cheeks, and a somewhat Roman nose. All this he remarked afterwards; but at the first glance, he noticed only this—that hers was a face which it did one good to see; one of those thoroughly happy, contented faces which are unfortunately so rare in this world of dissatisfaction and discontent. It was a face which some would not have allowed to be even pretty, and yet, although he could remember having seen faces far more beautiful in feature—Lady Violet's, for instance—he could not recollect having in his whole life seen a single face so lovely in its expression, so vivacious, and so full of intelligence.
"Marjorie, look here! I want to introduce this gentleman to you. Mr. Fortescue—Miss Douglas. He is going to Rosthwaite, and I think he wants to call on Mrs. Douglas."
"Mr. Fortescue!" said Marjorie, in a surprised voice. "Why, I thought—"
"You thought Mr. Fortescue was not quite so young, Miss Douglas; was that it?"
"Yes," she said, laughing. "Mother gets letters sometimes from Mr. Fortescue, and I pictured him a very old man with white hair and spectacles. Why, I don't know; but I always picture people to myself, and often make mistakes."
"That was my father, Miss Douglas; he is dead now."
"Dead! Oh, I'm so sorry," she said. "I should not have said that if I had known."
"Well, Marjorie, will you guide Mr. Fortescue?" said Louis Verner.
"Yes, Louis; I'm going home now, so we can walk together."