He declared, moreover, that he regarded the whole family with the greatest respect, and as to his intercourse with Matilda, it was simply dictated by his enthusiasm for art.

Nay, he was prepared, if necessary, to furnish the most incontestible proofs, under his own hand and seal, that the young lady's virtue was fenced about by absolutely impregnable bulwarks.
Ah! an honest, honourable gentleman, indeed! "Well, that's all right," said Mr.Meyer, whom this letter perfectly satisfied--"quite another sort of thing, in fact.

But, at any rate, he ought not to try and make Matilda go out with him, or try and see her behind the scenes.

That might so easily compromise her.

If his intentions are honourable, let him come to the house." Imbecile, to give bread to the rats that they might not disturb him in the night-time, instead of keeping a cat! Naturally, in a couple of days, Matilda was as rosy as an apple just plucked from the tree, and her squire now came to the house to visit her quite nicely.