"Phoo! phoo! This is only because there were no tall women to compare
her with, and because she has got a new gown, and you never saw her so
well dressed before. She is just what she was in October, believe me.
The truth is, that she was the only girl in company for you to notice,
and you must have a somebody. I have always thought her pretty--not
strikingly pretty--but 'pretty enough,' as people say; a sort of beauty
that grows on one. Her eyes should be darker, but she has a sweet
smile; but as for this wonderful degree of improvement, I am sure it
may all be resolved into a better style of dress, and your having
nobody else to look at; and therefore, if you do set about a flirtation
with her, you never will persuade me that it is in compliment to her
beauty, or that it proceeds from anything but your own idleness and
folly."

Her brother gave only a smile to this accusation, and soon afterwards
said, "I do not quite know what to make of Miss Fanny. I do not
understand her. I could not tell what she would be at yesterday. What
is her character? Is she solemn? Is she queer? Is she prudish? Why
did she draw back and look so grave at me? I could hardly get her to
speak. I never was so long in company with a girl in my life, trying
to entertain her, and succeed so ill! Never met with a girl who looked
so grave on me! I must try to get the better of this. Her looks say,
'I will not like you, I am determined not to like you'; and I say she
shall."