Miss Oriel was in every respect a nice neighbour; she was good-humoured, lady-like, lively, neither too clever nor too stupid, belonging to a good family, sufficiently fond of this world's good things, as became a pretty young lady so endowed, and sufficiently fond, also, of the other world's good things, as became the mistress of a clergyman's house.
"Indeed, yes," said the Lady Margaretta.

"Frank is very eloquent.
When he described our rapid journey from London, he nearly moved me to tears.

But well as he talks, I think he carves better." "I wish you'd had to do it, Margaretta; both the carving and talking." "Thank you, Frank; you're very civil." "But there's one comfort, Miss Oriel; it's over now, and done.

A fellow can't be made to come of age twice." "But you'll take your degree, Mr Gresham; and then, of course, there'll be another speech; and then you'll get married, and there will be two or three more." "I'll speak at your wedding, Miss Oriel, long before I do at my own." "I shall not have the slightest objection.

It will be so kind of you to patronise my husband." "But, by Jove, will he patronise me?
I know you'll marry some awful bigwig, or some terribly clever fellow; won't she, Margaretta ?" "Miss Oriel was saying so much in praise of you before you came out," said Margaretta, "that I began to think that her mind was intent on remaining at Greshamsbury all her life." Frank blushed, and Patience laughed.