istency."

"You then assert again, that you have no affection for my Lord
Frederick?"

"Not enough to become his wife."

"You are alarmed at marriage, and I do not wonder you should be so; it
shews a prudent foresight which does you honour--but, my dear, are there
no dangers in a single state? If I may judge, Miss Milner, there are
many more to a young lady of your accomplishments, than if you were
under the protection of a husband."

"My father, Mr. Dorriforth, thought your protection sufficient."

"But that protection was rather to direct your choice, than to be the
cause of your not choosing at all. Give me leave to point out an
observation which, perhaps, I have too frequently made before, but upon
this occasion I must intrude it once again. Miss Fenton is its
object--her fortune is inferior to your's, her personal attractions are
less"----

Here the powerful glow of joy, and of gratitude, for an opinion so
negligently, and yet so sincerely expressed, flew to Miss Milner's face,
neck, and even to her hands and fingers; the blood mounted to every part
of her skin that was visible, for not a fibre but felt the secret
transport, that Dorriforth thought her more beautiful than the beautiful
Miss Fenton.

If he observed her blushes, he was unsuspicious of the cause, and went
on.

"There is, besides, in the temper of Miss Fenton, a sedateness that
might with less hazard ensure her safety in an unmarried life; and yet
she very properly thinks it her duty, as she does not mean to seclude
herself by any vows to the contrary, to become a wife--and in obedience
to the counsel of her friends, will be married within a very few weeks."

"Miss Fenton may marry from obedience, I never will."

"You mean to say, that love shall alone induce you."

"I do."

"If you would point out a subject upon which I am the least able to
reason, and on which my sentiments, such as they are, are formed only
from theory, (and even there, more cautioned than instructed) it is the
subject of love. And yet, even that little which I know, tells me,
without a doubt, that what you said yesterday, pleading for Lord
Frederick's life, was the result of the most violent and tender love."

"The _little you know_ then, Mr. Dorriforth, has deceived you; had you
_known more_, you would have judged otherwise."

"I submit to the merit of your reply; but without allowing me a judge at
all, I will appeal to those who were present with me."

"Are Mr