Sylvie's tears were therefore a mystery to him, except when
a jealous pang contracted his generally liberal and tender soul, and
he thought, "Perhaps she is grieving for the Marquis Fontenelle!" He
glanced at her every now and again dubiously,--while the service
went on, and the exquisite music beat rhythmic waves against the
ancient walls and roof of the murdered Saint's tomb,--but her face,
fair and childlike, was a puzzle to his mind,--he could never make
out from its expression whether she were thoughtful or frivolous.
Strange mistakes are often made in physiognomy. Often the so-called
"intellectual" face,--the "touch-me-not" dignity--the "stalking-
tragedy" manner, covers a total lack of brain,--and often a large-
featured, seemingly "noble" face, has served as a mask for untold
depths of villainy. The delicate, small face of Nelson suggested
nothing of the giant heroism in his nature, and many a pretty, and
apparently frivolous woman's face, which suggests nothing but the
most thoughtless gaiety, is a disguise for a strong nature capable
of lofty and self-sacrificing deeds. There is nothing likely to be
so deceptive as a human countenance,--for with the exception of a
few uncomfortably sincere persons, we all try to make it disguise
our feelings as much as we can.
Pages:
572
573
574
575
576
577
578
579
580
581
582
583
584
585
586
587
588
589
590
591
592
593
594
595
596