Final answer:
The Countess Olenska's appearance was believed to have declined in New York.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Countess Olenska's Appearance
The description of the Countess Olenska in the passage suggests that she was seen as someone who had 'lost her looks' in New York. The passage mentions that she was 'a little fuller of figure' than before, and her hair was 'lank' and 'lifeless.' The change in her appearance is seen as 'ugly' and 'mediocre' by some, and she is compared to a 'Greenwich Villager' without her spectacles.
The passage indicates that the Countess had previously been considered attractive due to her 'Melting quality' blue eyes and 'yellow' hair. However, the sudden change in her appearance leads to negative judgment and the belief that she has lost her looks.