Your beautiful young creatures never scold." "I'm not so sure of that," said John, meditatively.

"For my part, I should rather not cheat myself, or be cheated after that manner.
Perfection is impossible.

Better see the young woman as she really is, bad and good together." "The young woman! The fair divinity, you mean!" "No;" shutting his mouth over the negative in his firm way--"I strongly object to divinities.

How unpleasant it would be to woo an angel of perfection, and find her out at last to be only--only Mrs.--" "Halifax," suggested I; at which he laughed, slightly colouring.
"But how woeful must be our dearth of subjects, when we talk such nonsense as this! What suggested it ?" "Your friend in the grey gown, I suppose." "Requiescat in Pace! May she enjoy her eggs! And now I must go saddle the brown mare, and be off to Norton Bury.

A lovely day for a ride.
How I shall dash along!" He rose up cheerily.