10 THE HISTORY OF DAME MITCHELL

was sufficient to deceive the young and inexperienced;
but, beneath the mask of his pretended good-nature, a keen
observer could detect his perverse disposition: his large,
staring, blue eyes showed duplicity; his wide nostrils bespoke
a violent temper; cunning sat astride on the tip of his long,
thin nose; while his bent for mischief was stamped upon
his mouth. Yet this man, to all appearance, had never

 

 

broken his trust; he had observed the strictest outward
honesty, and studiously concealed the blackness of his heart.
His ill-nature, like to a mine to which the match has not
yet been applied, only wanted an occasion to explode.
Sharpphiz disliked every kind of animal; but, in order
to humour his mistress, he pretended to be fond of them: