Polly is my favourite, and Maria is a year or two older than you.

But she is a nice, sensible, well-bred woman.

She is the eldest daughter, and will have--" "My dear father," said I, "Maria and I are very friendly as cousins, but she has not an idea of me in any other than a brotherly relation.
At least I think not," I added, for the look and blush that had puzzled me came back to my mind.
"I only mention this because I wished to warn you against trifling with your cousin's affections if you mean nothing," said my father.
"I should be sorry to trifle with any lady's affections, sir," was my reply.

We said no more.

I sighed, thinking of what I fully believed had blighted my existence.