"What an exquisite conception she has of it! But she comes honestly by that, dear uncle." Mr.Wentworth and Charlotte both looked at him as if they were watching a greyhound doubling.

"Of course with me she will hide her light under a bushel," he continued; "I being the bushel! Now I know you like me--you have certainly proved it.

But you think I am frivolous and penniless and shabby! Granted--granted--a thousand times granted.

I have been a loose fish--a fiddler, a painter, an actor.

But there is this to be said: In the first place, I fancy you exaggerate; you lend me qualities I have n't had.