I don't want to take it home, for fear papa should scold me for letting the dog kill it.' Mr.Weston was now gone, and we too went on our way; but as we returned, after having deposited the hare in a farm-house, and demolished some spice-cake and currant-wine in exchange, we met him returning also from the execution of his mission, whatever it might be.

He carried in his hand a cluster of beautiful bluebells, which he offered to me; observing, with a smile, that though he had seen so little of me for the last two months, he had not forgotten that bluebells were numbered among my favourite flowers.

It was done as a simple act of goodwill, without compliment or remarkable courtesy, or any look that could be construed into 'reverential, tender adoration' (_vide_ Rosalie Murray); but still, it was something to find my unimportant saying so well remembered: it was something that he had noticed so accurately the time I had ceased to be visible.
'I was told,' said he, 'that you were a perfect bookworm, Miss Grey: so completely absorbed in your studies that you were lost to every other pleasure.' 'Yes, and it's quite true!' cried Matilda.
'No, Mr.Weston: don't believe it: it's a scandalous libel.

These young ladies are too fond of making random assertions at the expense of their friends; and you ought to be careful how you listen to them.' 'I hope _this_ assertion is groundless, at any rate.' 'Why?
Do you particularly object to ladies studying ?' 'No; but I object to anyone so devoting himself or herself to study, as to lose sight of everything else.

Except under peculiar circumstances, I consider very close and constant study as a waste of time, and an injury to the mind as well as the body.' 'Well, I have neither the time nor the inclination for such transgressions.' We parted again.
Well! what is there remarkable in all this?
Why have I recorded it?
Because, reader, it was important enough to give me a cheerful evening, a night of pleasing dreams, and a morning of felicitous hopes.
Shallow-brained cheerfulness, foolish dreams, unfounded hopes, you would say; and I will not venture to deny it: suspicions to that effect arose too frequently in my own mind.