It was after sunset , and the air was mellow and warm-hued . The willow trees along the walk and the tall birches in the background stood out darkly distinct against the lemon-tinted sky . The breath of mint floated out from the garden , and the dew was falling heavily . Estella leaned against the gate , listening for the sound of wheels and dreamily watching the light shining out from the window of Vivienne LeMar 's room . The blind was up and she could see Miss LeMar writing at her table . Her profile was clear and distinct against the lamplight . Estella reflected without the least envy that Miss LeMar was very beautiful . She had never seen anyone who was really beautiful before -- beautiful with the loveliness of the heroines in the novels she sometimes read or the pictures she had seen . Estella Bowes was not pretty . She was a nice-looking girl , with clear eyes , rosy cheeks , and a pervading air of the content and happiness her life had always known . She was an orphan and lived with her uncle and aunt . In the summer they sometimes took a boarder for a month or two , and this summer Miss LeMar had come . She had been with them about a week . She was an actress from the city and had around her all the glamour of a strange , unknown life . Nothing was known about her . The Boweses liked her well enough as a boarder . Estella admired and held her in awe . She wondered what Spencer would think of this beautiful woman . He had not yet seen her . It was quite dark when he came .
Estella opened the gate XXXXX him , but he got out of his buggy and walked up the lane beside her with his arm about her .
about after against around as at for in with without