"He [John Thornton] shook hands with Margaret. He knew it was the first time their hands had met, though she was perfectly unconscious of the fact. he inquired after Mrs Hale, and heard Mr Hale's sanguine, hopeful account; and glancing at Margaret, to understand how far she agreed with her father, he saw that no dissenting shadow crossed her face. And as he looked wit this intention, he was struck anew with her great beauty. He had never seen her in such a dress before; and yet now it appeared as if such elegance of attire was so befitting her noble figure and lofty serenity of countenance, that she ought to go always thus apparelled. She was talking to Fanny; about what, he could not hear; but saw his sister's restless way of continually arranging some part of her gown, her wandering eyes, now glancing here, now there, but without any purpose in her observation; and he contrasted them uneasily with the large soft eyes, that looked forth steadily at one object,as if out from their light beamed some gentle influence of repose: the curving lines of the red lips, just pared in the interest of listening to what her companion said-the head a little bent forwards, so as to make a long sleeping line form the summit, where the light caught on the glossy raven hair, to the smooth ivory tip of the shoulder; the round white arms, and taper hands, laid lightly across each other, but perfectly motionless in their pretty attitude. Mr Thornton sighed as he took in all this with one of his sudden comprehensive glances.And then he turned hs back to the young ladies, and thew himself, with an effort, but with all his heart and soul, into a conversation with Mr Hale.""