She was dressed in her very best; affected an air of great gayety; talked loud and girlishly, and laughed when there was nothing to laugh at.
"Bracebridge Hall, or The Humorists"
Washington Irving
It sometimes really appears to me as if I had two characters within me-the one spirited, out spoken, and clever, and this one seldom shews itself-the other, silly and girlishly shy, which sits by in fear and trembling when the other speaks, and cannot muster courage to interrupt it.
"The Dead Lake and Other Tales"
Paul Heyse
She is once more, to all appearance, just the same girlishly thoughtless creature who once put out her hand with such unconstrained simple-heartedness to bid Johannes welcome.
"The Silent Mill"
Hermann Sudermann