He had become so mystified that he forgot himself, and began putting his interrogation in legal form.
"Will you state, if you please--I beg your pardon--may I ask who is your own favorite author ?" "I think just now I like to read Scott better than almost anybody." "Do you mean the Rev.Thomas Scott, author of the Commentary ?" Clement stared at Mr.Bradshaw, and wondered whether he was trying to make a fool of him.

The young lawyer hardly looked as if he could be a fool himself.
"I mean Sir Walter Scott," he said, dryly.
"Oh!" said Mr.Bradshaw.He saw that there had been a slight misunderstanding between the young man and his worthy host, but it was none of his business, and there were other subjects of interest to talk about.
"You know one of our charming young ladies very well, I believe, Mr.
Lindsay.

I think you are an old acquaintance of Miss Posey, whom we all consider so pretty." Poor Clement! The question pierced to the very marrow of his soul, but it was put with the utmost suavity and courtesy, and honeyed with a compliment to the young lady, too, so that there was no avoiding a direct and pleasant answer to it.
"Yes," he said, "I have known the young lady you speak of for a long time, and very well,--in fact, as you must have heard, we are something more than friends.

My visit here is principally on her account." "You must give the rest of us a chance to see something of you during your visit, Mr.Lindsay.I hope you are invited to Miss Eveleth's to-morrow evening ?" "Yes, I got a note this morning.

Tell me, Mr.Bradshaw, who is there that I shall meet if I go?
I have no doubt there are girls here in the village I should like to see, and perhaps some young fellows that I should like to talk with.