He would not affect, he said, to misunderstand what Miss Dunstable meant.

There had been something said on the probability of such an event; but he begged Miss Dunstable not to believe all that she heard on such subjects.
"I do not believe much," said she; "but I certainly did think that that might be credited." Mr Moffat then went on to show how it behoved them both, in holding out their hands half-way to meet the aristocratic overtures that were made to them, not to allow themselves to be made use of.

The aristocracy, according to Mr Moffat, were people of a very nice sort; the best acquaintance in the world; a portion of mankind to be noticed by whom should be one of the first objects in the life of the Dunstables and the Moffats.

But the Dunstables and Moffats should be very careful to give little or nothing in return.

Much, very much in return, would be looked for.