He apologized.
'Oh! pay me a practical compliment,' Diana said, and looked really happy at his unfeigned relish of her simple fare.
She had given him one opportunity in speaking of her maid's love of native country.

But it came too early.
'They say that bread and butter is fattening,' he remarked.
'You preserve the mean,' said she.
He admitted that his health was good.

For some little time, to his vexation at the absurdity, she kept him talking of himself.

So flowing was she, and so sweet the motion of her mouth in utterance, that he followed her lead, and he said odd things and corrected them.

He had to describe his ride to her.
'Yes! the view of the Downs from Dewhurst,' she exclaimed.