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For Lady Adelaide, Sir Timothy's wife, the footman usually did business while she sat in her carriage outside, but occasionally she herself would come rustling in, bringing with her a whiff of perfume, and sink languidly down in the chair provided for customers on their side of the counter.  She was a graceful woman, and it was a delight to watch her movements.  Laura, who sat behind her in church, admired the way she knelt for the prayers, not plumping down squarely with one boot-sole on each side of a substantial posterior , as most women of her age did, but slanting gracefully forward with the sole of one dainty shoe in advance of the other.  She was tall and thin and, Laura thought, aristocratic-looking."

Lark Rise to Candleford

 Flora Thompson