On the other hand, she certainly felt much regret at being subjected to the presence of Woodward, against whom she entertained, as the reader knows, a strong feeling that amounted absolutely to aversion.

She could not, however, think of treating him with anything bordering on disrespect, especially in her own house, and she, consequently, was about to say something merely calculated to pass the time.

In this, however, she was anticipated by Woodward, who, as he had his suspicions of O'Connor, resolved to sound her on the subject.
"That seems an agreeable young fellow," said he; "somewhat free and easy in his deportment." "Take care, Mr.Woodward," said her mother, "say nothing harsh against Ferdora, if you wish to keep on good terms with Alley.

He's the white-headed boy with her." "I am not surprised at that, madam," he replied, "possessed as he is of such a rare and fortunate quality." "Pray, what is that, Mr.Woodward ?" asked Alice, timidly.
"Why, the faculty of making love with the power of ten men," he replied.
"You must be a very serious man," she replied.
"Serious, Miss Goodwin! Why do you think so ?" "I hope you are not in the habit of receiving a jest as a matter of fact." "Not," he replied, "if I could satisfy myself that there was no fact in the jest; but, indeed, in this world, Miss Goodwin, it is very difficult to distinguish jest from earnest." "I am a bad reasoner, Mr.Woodward," she replied.
"But, perhaps, Miss Goodwin, Mr.O'Connor would say that you make up in feeling what you want in logic." "I hope, sir," replied Alice, with some spirit--for she felt hurt at his last observation--"that I will never feel on any subject until I have reason as well as inclination to support me." "Ah," said he, "I fear that if you once possess the inclination you will soon supply the reason.

But, by the way, talking of your friend and favorite, Mr.O'Connor, I must say I like him very much, and I am, not surprised that you do." "I do, indeed," she replied; "I know of nobody I like better than honest, frank, and generous Ferdora." "Well, Miss Goodwin, I assure you he shall be a favorite of mine for your sake." "Indeed, Mr.Woodward, if you knew him, he would become one for his own." "Have you known him long, may I ask, Miss Goodwin ?" "O dear, yes," said Mrs.Goodwin, who now, finding this a fair opening in the conversation, resolved to have her share of it--"O dear! yes; Alley and he know each other ever since her childhood; he's some three or four years older than she is, to be sure, but that makes little difference." "And, I suppose, Mrs.Goodwin, their intimacy--perhaps I may say attachment--has the sanction of their respective families ?" "God bless you, sir, to be sure it has--are they not distantly related ?" "That, indeed, is a very usual proceeding among families," observed Woodward; "the boy and girl are thrown together, and desired to look upon each other as destined to become husband and wife; they accordingly do so, fall in love, are married, and soon find themselves--miserable; in fact, these matches seldom turn out well." "But there is no risk of that here," replied Alice.
"I sincerely hope not, Miss Goodwin.