humble and respectful demeanor.

He told me, that he had, upon this occasion, been entering into
himself, and had found a great deal of reason to blame himself for an
impertinency and inconsideration which, although he meant nothing by
it, must be very disagreeable to one of my delicacy. That having always
aimed at a manly sincerity and openness of heart, he had not till now
discovered, that both were very consistent with that true politeness,
which he feared he had too much disregarded, while he sought to avoid
the contrary extreme; knowing, that in me he had to deal with a lady,
who despised an hypocrite, and who was above all flattery. But from this
time forth, I should find such an alteration in his whole behaviour, as
might be expected from a man who knew himself to be honoured with the
presence and conversation of a person, who had the most delicate mind in
the world--that was his flourish.

I said, that he might perhaps expect congratulation upon the discovery
he had just now made, to wit, that true politeness and sincerity were
reconcilable: but that I, who had, by a perverse fate, been thrown into
his company, had abundant reason to regret that he had not sooner found
this out.--Since, I believed, very few men of birth and education were
strangers to it.

He knew not, neither, he said, that he had so badly behaved himself, as
to deserve so very severe a rebuke.

Perhaps not, I replied: but he might, if so, make another discovery from
what I had said; which might be to my own disadvantage: since, if he
had so much reason to be satisfied with himself, he would see what an
ungenerous person he spoke to, who, when he seemed to give himself airs
of humility, which, perhaps he thought beneath him to assume, had not
the civility to make him a compliment upon them; but was ready to take
him at his word.

He had long, with infinite pleasure, the pretended flattery-hater said,
admired my superior talents, and a wisdom in so young a lady, perfectly
suprising.

Let me, Madam, said he, stand ever so low in your opinion, I shall
believe all you say to be just; and that I have nothing to do but to
govern myself for the future by your example, and by the standard you
shall be pleased to give me.

I know better, Sir, replied I, than to value myself upon your volubility
of speech. As you pretend to pay so preferable a regard to sincerity,
you shall confine yourself to the strict rules of truth, when you speak
of me, to