It afforded the visitor no little satisfaction to be able to make known his acquaintance with parts of England to which the Warricombes had not penetrated.

Godwin learnt that the family were insular in their tastes; a mention by Miss Moorhouse of continental scenes led the host to avow a strong preference for his own country, under whatever aspect, and Sidwell murmured her sympathy.
No less introspective than in the old days, though he could better command his muscles, Peak, after each of his short remarks, made comparison of his tone and phraseology with those of the other speakers.

Had he still any marks of the ignoble world from which he sprang?
Any defect of pronunciation, any native awkwardness of utterance?
Impossible to judge himself infallibly, but he was conscious of no vulgar mannerism.

Though it was so long since he left Whitelaw, the accent of certain of the Professors still remained with him as an example: when endeavouring to be graceful, he was wont to hear the voice of Dr Nares, or of Professor Barber who lectured on English Literature.

More recently he had been observant of Christian Moxey's speech, which had a languid elegance worth imitating in certain particulars.