A Life for a Love by L.T. Meade

It was soon after this that Valentine Paget's world became electrified with the news of her engagement. Wyndham was congratulated on all sides, and those people who had hitherto not taken the slightest notice of a rather boyish and unpretentious young man, now found much to say in his favor.

Yes, he was undoubtedly good-looking -- a remarkable face, full of interest -- he must be clever too -- he looked it. And then as to his youth -- why was it that people a couple of months ago had considered him a lad, a boy -- why, he was absolutely old for his two-and-twenty years. A grave thoughtful man with a wonderfully sweet expression.