To describe it first is natural, because this mouth is itself the
face, and the rest of the features are grouped to it. If you think of her
you think of her mouth only--the face appears as memory acts, but the
mouth is distinct, the remainder uncertain. She laughs and the curl runs
upwards, so that you must laugh too, you cannot help it. Had the curl
gone downwards, as with habitually melancholy people, you might have
withstood her smile. The room is never dull where she is, for there is a
distinct character in it--a woman--and not a mere living creature, and it
is noticeable that if there are five or six or more present, somehow the
conversation centres round her.
There was a lady I knew who had lips like these. Of the kind they were
perfect. Though she was barely fourteen she was _the_ woman of that
circle by the magnetism of her mouth. When we all met together in the
evening all that went on in some way or other centred about her. By
consent the choice of what game should be played was left to her to
decide. She was asked if it was not time for some one to sing, and the
very mistress of the household referred to her whether we should have
another round or go in to supper.
Pages:
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254