look

I think it just refers that he is just keen and smart.

Not exactly sure, cuz I'm just near-native, not quite native. Hope it would have been a help.

I don't understand why "to" instead of "and" as you have explained.

You know the meaning because I can guess but the way people use this structure I don't know and I want to be explained.

Thanks.

Hello Minhuoc

I think "There was a fine boyish look in his wide intelligent eyes" is a standard expression.
I learned the use of "to" for "in" is dialectic.

paco

Dear paco,

You are right when you add "a" into the sentence. But what does "in" mean in the sentence. Please help again.

Thanks.

The 'in' is 'in', the preposition to indicate a place. If you found a sorrow in a woman's eyes, you can say "There was a sorrow in her eyes".

paco

I wouldn't use "a" before "sorrow"... "There was sorrow in her eyes". I don't know exactly why, though.

Hello Anne

Yeah you are right. "There is a sorrow" is rather of rare use.

paco