I thought you had a noble independence of character, incapable of being moved by a whiff of breath, a puff of empty air." "I trust I have sufficient independence to do what is right and sufficient prudence to avoid, if possible, the imputation of wrong," I replied, with grave earnestness.
"Oh! upright judge!--oh! excellent young sage!" exclaimed Richard, with mock reverence.

"Wisdom becometh thee so well, I shall be tempted to quarrel hereafter with thy smiles.

But seriously, Gabriella, I crave permission to walk courteously home with you this evening, for it is the last of my vacation.

To-morrow I leave you, and it will be months before we meet again." "I might have spared you and myself this foolish scene, then," said I, deeply mortified at its result.

"I have incurred your ridicule, perhaps your contempt, in vain.