In George Eliot's "Middlemarch," the character Mary reflects on the attention she receives from two very different men, pondering what draws them to her despite her lack of conventional beauty. She suggests that it is not her plain appearance that captivates them but rather something deeper that remains unexplained. This hint at the complexity of attraction implies that qualities beyond physical beauty can be compelling.

Mary's observation serves as a cautionary note to other plain young women, warning them of the societal pressures that can lead to misplaced confidence in their looks. It suggests that society's emphasis on beauty can be misleading and that genuine affection may stem from character and virtues rather than mere appearance.