"that young Shelmerdine's wife was a devilish sensible woman, and he hoped to see more of her."
Tact; natural goodness of heart; a sunny temper, and a practical disposition; these be great qualities, you young ladies of Newnham and Girton. The widower of ripe experience was a mighty shrewd judge of your kind, although a severe one, because he had not chosen so wisely as he might have done in the First Instance; and in the Second Instance, had he chosen less wisely he might have been more comfortable; but he knew a good, sensible, sound-hearted young woman when he saw one, and he knew quite enough of her importance to the world not to undervalue her. Hence the "chorus girl" had already made a considerable incursion—and the pearl necklace and the simple black dinner-frock which had cost a hundred guineas, and the hair très bien coiffés were a little cooler to Pa than usual, and nibbled more salted almonds than was good for 'em.
The apparatus could do Pa no harm; Mr. Joseph O'Flatherty, his lordship's valet, was strongly of that opinion, and said so to her ladyship's maid, whose name was Adèle, but had been changed to Lisette for obvious reasons. Whether the apparatus actually brought material benefit to Pa, we are not in a position to state positively; but there can be no doubt that, indirectly, the apparatus had a tonic effect upon Pa's general system.
