Natalie’s waist was round,—­a sign of strength, but also the infallible indication of a will which becomes obstinacy in persons whose mind is neither keen nor broad.  Her hands, like those of a Greek statue, confirmed the predictions of face and figure by revealing an inclination for illogical domination, of willing for will’s sake only.  Her eyebrows met,—­a sign, according to some observers, which indicates jealousy.  The jealousy of superior minds becomes emulation and leads to great things; that of small minds turns to hatred.  The “hate and wait” of her mother was in her nature, without disguise.  Her eyes were black apparently, though really brown with orange streaks, contrasting with her hair, of the ruddy tint so prized by the Romans, called auburn in England, a color which often appears in the offspring of persons of jet black hair, like that of Monsieur and Madame Evangelista.  The whiteness and delicacy of Natalie’s complexion gave to the contrast of color in her eyes and hair an inexpressible charm; and yet it was a charm that was purely external; for whenever the lines of a face are lacking in a certain soft roundness, whatever may be the finish and grace of the details, the beauty therein expressed is not of the soul.  These roses of deceptive youth will drop their leaves, and you will be surprised in a few years to see hardness and dryness where you once admired what seemed to be the beauty of noble qualities.

Though the outlines of Natalie’s face had something august about them, her chin was slightly “empate,”—­a painter’s expression which will serve to show the existence of sentiments the violence of which would only become manifest in after life.  Her mouth, a trifle drawn in, expressed a haughty pride in keeping with her hand, her chin, her brows, and her beautiful figure.  And—­as a last diagnostic to guide the judgment of a connoisseur—­Natalie’s pure voice, a most seductive voice, had certain metallic tones.  Softly as that brassy ring was managed, and in spite of the grace with which its sounds ran through the compass of the voice, that organ revealed the character of the Duke of Alba, from whom the Casa-Reales were collaterally descended.  These indications were those of violent passions without tenderness, sudden devotions, irreconcilable dislikes, a mind without intelligence, and the desire to rule natural to persons who feel themselves inferior to their pretensions.

These defects, born of temperament and constitution, were buried in Natalie like ore in a mine, and would only appear under the shocks and harsh treatment to which all characters are subjected in this world.  Meantime the grace and freshness of her youth, the distinction of her manners, her sacred ignorance, and the sweetness of a young girl, gave a delicate glamour to her features which could not fail to mislead an unthinking or superficial mind.  Her mother had early taught her the trick of agreeable talk which appears to imply superiority, replying to arguments