Honourable Charles Rivenhall
The Honourable Charles Rivenhall was twenty-six years old, but a rather
harsh-featured countenance, coupled with a manner that combined assurance
with a good deal of reserve, made him give the impression of being some
years older. He was a tall, powerfully-built young man, who looked as
though he would have been better pleased to have been striding over his
father's acres than exchanging civilities in his mother's sitting-room.
He nearly always wore riding-dress in preference to the more fashionable
pantaloons and Hessians; tied his cravat in the plainest of styles; would
permit only a modicum of starch to stiffen his very moderate shirt-points;
wholly disdained such fopperies as seals, fobs, or quizzing-glasses; and
offended his tailor by insisting on having his coats cut so that he could
shrug himself into them without the assistance of his valet.
(ch. i)