It is part of a dialogue between a young lady
of the "highest standing" and her "tutor," who is moreover her
lover, though not yet acknowledged.
"And so you wo'nt tell me," said she, "what has come over you,
and why you look as grave and sensible as a Dictionary, when, by
general consent, even mine, 'motley's the only wear?'"
'"Am I so grave, Miss Blair?"
'"Are you so grave, Miss Blair? One would think I had not got
my lesson today. Pray, sir, has the black ox trod upon your toe
since we parted?"
'Philip tried to laugh, but he did not succeed; he bit his lip
and was silent.
'"I am under orders to entertain you, Mr. Blondel, and if my poor
brain can be made to gird this fairy isle, I shall certainly be
obedient. So I begin with playing the leech. What ails you,
sir?"
'"Miss Blair!" he was going to remonstrate.
'"Miss Blair! Now, pity. I'm a quack! for whip me, if I know
whether Miss Blair is a fever or an ague. How did you catch it,
sir?"
'"Really, Miss Blair--"
'"Nay, I see you don't like doctoring; I give over, and now I'll
be sensible. It's a fine day, Mr. Blondel."
'"Very."
'"A pleasant lane, this, to walk in, if one's company were
agreeable."
'"Does Mr. Skefton stay long?" asked Philip, abruptly.
'"No one knows,"
'"Indeed! are you so ignorant?"
'"And why does your wisdom ask that question?"'
In no society in the world can the advantage of travel be so
conspicuous as in America, in other countries a tone of
unpretending simplicity can more than compensate for the absence
of enlarged views or accurate observation; but this tone is not
to be found in America, or if it be, it is only among those who,
having looked at that insignificant portion of the world not
included in the Union, have learnt to know how much is still
unknown within the mighty part which is.
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