full beauty of her sweet, unselfish, hidden life; she never spoke, nor seemed to think, of herself."
Her "beautiful face" has in these characterisations been frequently referred to; but its most striking beauty was perhaps that of expression, though the features were good, especially as shown in the finely moulded, cameo-like profile. Her rich auburn hair; worn in youth in tresses, fine, soft, and silky, her bright complexion and sweet mouth, aided the childlike character which her face long retained.
But her "rare and beautiful nature," her "gentle voice," her "charm of manner," her gracious, welcoming smile and kindly interest in all who visited that home beyond which she scarcely ever went, are the traits chiefly dwelt on, alike by intimate friends and by those who saw her but once or twice. "I can never," wrote one to her sister, "think of you without Louisa, nor of Orchard Poyle without her sweet, gentle presence. I shall always picture her amongst her flowers, with her ready, kindly sympathy for every one, and her righteous indignation against wrong and oppression."
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