You have a genius for friendship, that is, for running up intimacies which you call such." (Was not this very harshly said, Matilda ?) "Now I wish to give you an opportunity at least to make one deserving friend, and therefore I have resolved that this young lady shall be a member of my family for some months, and I expect you will pay to her that attention which is due to misfortune and virtue." '"Certainly, sir.

Is my future friend red-haired ?" 'He gave me one of his stern glances; you will say, perhaps, I deserved it; but I think the deuce prompts me with teasing questions on some occasions.
'"She is as superior to you, my love, in personal appearance as in prudence and affection for her friends." '"Lord, papa, do you think that superiority a recommendation?
Well, sir, but I see you are going to take all this too seriously; whatever the young lady may be, I am sure, being recommended by you, she shall have no reason to complain of my want of attention." After a pause--"Has she any attendant?
because you know I must provide for her proper accommodation if she is without one." '"N--no--no, not properly an attendant; the chaplain who lived with her father is a very good sort of man, and I believe I shall make room for him in the house." "'Chaplain, papa?
Lord bless us!" '"Yes, Miss Mannering, chaplain; is there anything very new in that word?
Had we not a chaplain at the Residence, when we were in India ?" '"Yes, papa, but you was a commandant then." '"So I will be now, Miss Mannering, in my own family at least." '"Certainly, sir.

But will he read us the Church of England service ?" 'The apparent simplicity with which I asked this question got the better of his gravity.

"Come, Julia," he said, "you are a sad girl, but I gain nothing by scolding you.

Of these two strangers, the young lady is one whom you cannot fail, I think, to love; the person whom, for want of a better term, I called chaplain, is a very worthy, and somewhat ridiculous personage, who will never find out you laugh at him if you don't laugh very loud indeed." '"Dear papa, I am delighted with that part of his character.