Jemima

Perhaps because Jemima had grown up in the shadow of her elder sister's obvious beauty she had never become conscious of her own more subtle appeal. But when she left her father's manse in Scotland and went to a little town in Suffolk, other people were not slow to appreciate it.

Only Gavin seemed not to come completely beneath its spell, though he was undeniably attracted. There were brief flashes -- and these were golden moments to Jemima -- when it seemed that nothing but love could account for the bond between them, but at other times a barrier of restraint divided them that neither seemed able to break down. Then events took a hand, turning the thoughts of both Jemima and Gavin away from themselves into channels which suddenly, became of greater moment even than their own future happiness.