Come, let us have no more of this nonsense--I dare say Sir Arthur will bid us welcome on some future day.

And what news from the kingdom of subterranean darkness and airy hope ?--What says the swart spirit of the mine?
Has Sir Arthur had any good intelligence of his adventure lately in Glen-Withershins ?" Miss Wardour shook her head--"But indifferent, I fear, Mr.Oldbuck; but there lie some specimens which have lately been sent down." "Ah! my poor dear hundred pounds, which Sir Arthur persuaded me to give for a share in that hopeful scheme, would have bought a porter's load of mineralogy--But let me see them." And so saying, he sat down at the table in the recess, on which the mineral productions were lying, and proceeded to examine them, grumbling and pshawing at each which he took up and laid aside.
In the meantime, Lovel, forced as it were by this secession of Oldbuck, into a sort of tete-a'-tete with Miss Wardour, took an opportunity of addressing her in a low and interrupted tone of voice.

"I trust Miss Wardour will impute, to circumstances almost irresistible, this intrusion of a person who has reason to think himself--so unacceptable a visitor." "Mr.Lovel," answered Miss Wardour, observing the same tone of caution, "I trust you will not--I am sure you are incapable of abusing the advantages given to you by the services you have rendered us, which, as they affect my father, can never be sufficiently acknowledged or repaid.
Could Mr.Lovel see me without his own peace being affected--could he see me as a friend--as a sister--no man will be--and, from all I have ever heard of Mr.Lovel, ought to be, more welcome but"-- Oldbuck's anathema against the preposition but was internally echoed by Lovel.

"Forgive me if I interrupt you, Miss Wardour; you need not fear my intruding upon a subject where I have been already severely repressed;--but do not add to the severity of repelling my sentiments the rigour of obliging me to disavow them." "I am much embarrassed, Mr.Lovel," replied the young lady, "by your--I would not willingly use a strong word--your romantic and hopeless pertinacity.

It is for yourself I plead, that you would consider the calls which your country has upon your talents--that you will not waste, in an idle and fanciful indulgence of an ill-placed predilection, time, which, well redeemed by active exertion, should lay the foundation of future distinction.