Her Habits — A Saunter

           ItoldyouthatIwascharmedwithherinmostparticulars.

           Thereweresomethatdidnotpleasemesowell.

           Shewasabovethemiddleheightofwomen.Ishallbeginbydescribingher.

           Shewasslender,andwonderfullygraceful.Exceptthathermovementswerelanguid—verylanguid—indeed,therewasnothinginherappearancetoindicateaninvalid.Hercomplexionwasrichandbrilliant;herfeaturesweresmallandbeautifullyformed;hereyeslarge,dark,andlustrous;herhairwasquitewonderful,Ineversawhairsomagnificentlythickandlongwhenitwasdownabouthershoulders;Ihaveoftenplacedmyhandsunderit,andlaughedwithwonderatitsweight.Itwasexquisitelyfineandsoft,andincolorarichverydarkbrown,withsomethingofgold.Ilovedtoletitdown,tumblingwithitsownweight,as,inherroom,shelaybackinherchairtalkinginhersweetlowvoice,Iusedtofoldandbraidit,andspreaditoutandplaywithit.Heavens!IfIhadbutknownall!

           Isaidtherewereparticularswhichdidnotpleaseme.IhavetoldyouthatherconfidencewonmethefirstnightIsawher;butIfoundthatsheexercisedwithrespecttoherself,hermother,herhistory,everythinginfactconnectedwithherlife,plans,andpeople,aneverwakefulreserve.IdaresayIwasunreasonable,perhapsIwaswrong;IdaresayIoughttohaverespectedthesolemninjunctionlaiduponmyfatherbythestatelyladyinblackvelvet.Butcuriosityisarestlessandunscrupulouspassion,andnoonegirlcanendure,withpatience,thathersshouldbebaffledbyanother.