t before this
instant; he asked her some questions, to which she replied; as long as
she was dancing, his eyes were fixed upon her; and from this time he no
longer resented Mrs. Middleton's conduct. Miss Hamilton was at the happy
age when the charms of the fair sex begin to bloom; she had the finest
shape, the loveliest neck, and most beautiful arms in the world; she
was majestic and graceful in all her movements; and she was the original
after which all the ladies copied in their taste and air of dress. Her
forehead was open, white, and smooth; her hair was well set, and fell
with ease into that natural order which it is so difficult to imitate.
Her complexion was possessed of a certain freshness, not to be equalled
by borrowed colours: her eyes were not large, but they were lively,
and capable of expressing whatever she pleased: her mouth was full of
graces, and her contour uncommonly perfect; nor was her nose, which was
small, delicate, and turned up, the least ornament of so lovely a face.
In fine, her air, her carriage, and the numberless graces dispersed over
her whole person, made the Chevalier de Grammont not doubt but that
she was possessed of every other qualification. Her mind was a
proper companion for such a form: she did not endeavour to shine in
conversation by those sprightly sallies which only puzzle; and with
still greater care she avoided that affected solemnity in her discourse,
which produces stupidity; but, without any eagerness to talk, she just
said what she ought, and no more. She had an admirable discernment
in distinguishing between solid and false wit; and far from making an
ostentatious display of her abilities, she was reserved, though very
just in her decisions: her sentiments were always noble, and even lofty
to the highest extent, when there was occasion; nevertheless, she was
less prepossessed with her own merit than is usually the case with those
who have so much. Formed, as we have described, she could not fail
of commanding love; but so far was she from courting it, that she was
scrupulously nice with respect to those whose merit might entitle them
to form any pretensions to her.
The more the Chevalier de Grammont was convinced of these truths,
the more did he endeavour to please and engage her in his turn:
his entertaining wit, his conversation, lively, easy, and always
distinguished by novelty, constantly gained him attention; but he was
much embarrassed to find that presents, whi
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