It is only in the profile that we get a chance to
measure the will or propelling force behind a character. In each
of the two main curves of Dorn's head--that from the top of the
brow downward over the nose, the lips, the chin and under, and
that from the back of the head round under the ear and forward
along the lower jaw--in each of these curves Dorn excelled.
She was about to draw back and make a formal entry, when he said,
without looking toward her:
``Well--don't you think it would be safe to draw near?''
The tone was so easy and natural and so sympathetic --the tone of
Selma Gordon--the tone of all natural persons not disturbed about
themselves or about others --that Jane felt no embarrassment
whatever. ``I've heard you were very clever,'' said she,
advancing. ``So, I wanted to have the advantage of knowing you a
little better at the outset than you would know me.''
``But Selma Gordon has told me all about you,'' said he--he had
risen as she advanced and was shaking hands with her as if they
were old friends. ``Besides, I saw you the other day--in spite
of your effort to prevent yourself from being seen.''
``What do you mean?'' she asked, completely mystified.
``I mean your clothes,'' explained he. ``They were unusual for
this part of the world. And when anyone wears unusual clothes,
they act as a disguise. Everyone neglects the person to center
on the clothes.''
``I wore them to be comfortable,'' protested Jane, wondering why
she was not angry at this young man whose manner ought to be
regarded as presuming and whose speech ought to be rebuked as
impertinent.
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