felt much regret
at being subjected to the presence of Woodward, against whom she
entertained, as the reader knows, a strong feeling that amounted
absolutely to aversion. She could not, however, think of treating him
with anything bordering on disrespect, especially in her own house, and
she, consequently, was about to say something merely calculated to pass
the time. In this, however, she was anticipated by Woodward, who, as he
had his suspicions of O'Connor, resolved to sound her on the subject.

"That seems an agreeable young fellow," said he; "somewhat free and easy
in his deportment."

"Take care, Mr. Woodward," said her mother, "say nothing harsh against
Ferdora, if you wish to keep on good terms with Alley. He's the
white-headed boy with her."

"I am not surprised at that, madam," he replied, "possessed as he is of
such a rare and fortunate quality."

"Pray, what is that, Mr. Woodward?" asked Alice, timidly.

"Why, the faculty of making love with the power of ten men," he replied.

"You must be a very serious man," she replied.

"Serious, Miss Goodwin! Why do you think so?"

"I hope you are not in the habit of receiving a jest as a matter of
fact."

"Not," he replied, "if I could satisfy myself that there was no fact in
the jest; but, indeed, in this world, Miss Goodwin, it is very difficult
to distinguish jest from earnest."

"I am a bad reasoner, Mr. Woodward," she replied.

"But, perhaps, Miss Goodwin, Mr. O'Connor would say that you make up in
feeling what you want in logic."

"I hope, sir," replied Alice, with some spirit--for she felt hurt at his
last observation--"that I will never feel on any subject until I have
reason as well as inclination to support me."

"Ah," said he, "I fear that if you once possess the inclination you
will soon supply the reason. But, by the way, talking of your friend and
favorite, Mr. O'Connor, I must say I like him very much, and I am, not
surprised that you do."

"I do, indeed," she replied; "I know of nobody I like better than
honest, frank, and generous Ferdora."

"Well, Miss Goodwin, I assure you he shall be a favorite of mine for
your sake."

"Indeed, Mr. Woodward, if you knew him, he would become one for his
own."

"Have you known him long, may I ask, Miss Goodwin?"

"O dear, yes," said Mrs. Goodwin, who now, finding this a fair opening
in the conversation, resolved to have her share of it--"O dear! yes;
Alley and he know each other ever since her