Mrs. Reed might be at that time some six or seven and thirty; she was a woman of robust frame, square-shouldered and strong-limbed, not tall, and, though stout, not obese: she had a somewhat large face, the under jaw being much developed and very solid; her brow was low, her chin large and prominent, mouth and nose sufficiently regular; under her light eyebrows glimmered an eye devoid of ruth; her skin was dark and opaque, her hair nearly flaxen; her constitution was sound as a bell--illness never came near her; she was an exact, clever manager; her household and tenantry were thoroughly under her control; her children only at times defied her authority and laughed it to scorn; she dressed well, and had a presence and port calculated to set off handsome attire.
Elle avait le front bas, la bouche et le nez assez réguliers; ses yeux, sans bonté, brillaient sous des cils pâles; sa peau était noire et ses cheveux blonds. D'un tempérament fort et sain, elle ignorait la maladie; c'était une ménagère soigneuse et habile, qui surveillait aussi bien ses fermes que sa maison; ses enfants seuls se riaient quelquefois de son autorité; elle s'habillait avec goût, et sa tenue faisait toujours ressortir sa toilette.