In person, Lady Winwood
was little and fair. In character, she was dashing and resolute--a
complete contrast to Natalie, and (on that very account) Natalie's bosom
friend.
"My dear, one ambitious marriage in the family is quite enough! I have
made up my mind that _you_ shall marry the man you love. Don't tell me
your courage is failing you--the excuse is contemptible; I decline to
receive it. Natalie! the men have a phrase which exactly describes your
character. You want back-bone!"
The bonnet of the lady who expressed herself in these peremptory terms
barely reached the height of Natalie's shoulder. Natalie might have
blown the little airy, light-haired, unsubstantial creature over the
railings of the garden if she had taken a good long breath and stooped
low enough. But who ever met with a tall woman who had a will of her
own? Natalie's languid brown eyes looked softly down in submissive
attention from an elevation of five feet seven. Lady Winwood's brisk
blue eyes looked brightly up in despotic command from an elevation of
four feet eleven (in her shoes).
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