PERVADED HARMONY

though a little bourgeoise; as bourgeoise, indeed, she was. I know not what

of harmony pervaded her whole person; and yet her face offered contrast,

too: its features were by no means such as are usually seen in conjunction

with a complexion of such blended freshness and repose: their outline was

stern: her forehead was high but narrow; it expressed capacity and some

benevolence, but no expanse; nor did her peaceful yet watchful eye ever

know the fire which is kindled in the heart or the softness which flows

thence. Her mouth was hard: it could be a little grim; her lips were thin. For

sensibility and genius, with all their tenderness and temerity, I felt somehow

that Madame would be the right sort of Minos in petticoats.

In the long run, I found she was something else in petticoats too. Her

name was Modeste Maria Beck, née Kint: it ought to have been Ignacia.