She was one of those rare women who keep their loveliness unmarred by the passage of years . She had ripened and matured , but she had not grown old . The older Penhallows were still inclined , from sheer force of habit , to look upon her as a girl , and the younger Penhallows hailed her as one of themselves . Yet Lucinda never aped girlishness ; good taste and a strong sense of humour preserved her amid many temptations thereto . She was simply a beautiful , fully developed woman , with whom Time had declared a truce , young with a mellow youth which had nothing to do with years . Mrs. George liked and admired Lucinda . Now , when Mrs. George liked and admired any person , it was a matter of necessity with her to impart her opinions to the most convenient confidant . In this case it was Romney Penhallow to whom Mrs. George remarked sweetly : `` Really , do n't you think our Lucinda is looking remarkably well this fall ? '' It seemed a very harmless , inane , well-meant question . Poor Mrs. George might well be excused for feeling bewildered over the effect . Romney gathered his long legs together , stood up , and swept the unfortunate speaker a crushing Penhallow bow of state . `` Far be it from me to disagree with the opinion of a lady -- especially when it concerns another lady , '' he said , as he left the blue room . Overcome by the mordant satire in his tone , Mrs. George glanced speechlessly at Lucinda . Behold , Lucinda had squarely turned her back on the party and was gazing out into the garden , with a very decided flush on the snowy curves of her neck and cheek . Then Mrs. George looked at her sisters-in-law . They were regarding her with the tolerant amusement they might bestow on a blundering child . Mrs. George experienced that subtle prescience whereby it is given us to know that we have put our foot in it . She felt herself turning an uncomfortable brick-red . What Penhallow skeleton had she unwittingly jangled ? Why , oh , why , was it such an evident breach of the proprieties to praise Lucinda ?
Mrs. George was devoutly thankful that a summons to the tea-table rescued her XXXXX her mire of embarrassment .
In amid at by from of that to whereby with