He could not help thinking, as he came in, how rich and handsome everything about her seemed, in contrast to the bare simplicity of his poorer friends--yet certainly nature had intended Lucia for a much more stately and magnificent person than this little lady.
"Well ?" she said smiling.

"Have you persuaded your friends to receive me?
I can assure you my curiosity has nearly overpowered me this morning." "You will be disappointed, of course.

You are imagining a heroine, and you will see only a young country girl." "For shame, Maurice! If I am imagining a heroine, I wonder whose fault it is ?" "I wish you would not form your judgment for a week.

You are enough of a fine lady, Louisa, to be a little affected by externals, and my pearl has no fine setting at present; it will need looking at closely to find out its value." "And you think, oh most philosophical of lovers! that I am not capable of distinguishing a real pearl unless it is set in gold, and has its price ticketed ?" "I think, at least, that I am so anxious to see you the same kind friend to her as you have been to me, that I am troubling myself uselessly about the first impressions." "On both sides?
Well, trust me, Maurice I will like your Lucia for your sake, and try to make her like me." "Thank you; I know you will.

And after the first, you will not be able to help loving her." "Sir John is not to go with us ?" "Not unless you particularly wish it.