] Yes, another man who improves upon closer acquaintance, eh? ;-)

I know what you mean here, but actually, Catherine has *not* gotten better acquainted with him at this point - this is her first glimpse of him since that first evening. The improvement has all taken place in her mind! She has spent much of the past few days dwelling on their conversation and looking in vain for him at the dances. (But far be it from me to tsk-tsk over a girl's active imagination, especially where a kind & funny - and nearly handsome - young man is concerned!)