But if there is no secret idol, I'm all at sea again." And Charlie tossed the photograph into the drawer as if it no longer interested him.
"I'm hard-hearted because I'm particular and, as yet, do not find anyone at all to my taste." "No one ?" with a tender glance.
"No one" with a rebellious blush, and the truthful addition "I see much to admire and like in many persons, but none quite strong and good enough to suit me.

My heroes are old-fashioned, you know." "Prigs, like Guy Carleton, Count Altenberg, and John Halifax I know the pattern you goody girls like," sneered Charlie, who preferred the Guy Livingston, Beauclerc, and Rochester style.
"Then I'm not a 'goody girl,' for I don't like prigs.

I want a gentleman in the best sense of the word, and I can wait, for I've seen one, and know there are more in the world." "The deuce you have! Do I know him ?" asked Charlie, much alarmed.
"You think you do," answered Rose with a mischievous sparkle in her eye.
"If it isn't Pem, I give it up.

He's the best-bred fellow I know." "Oh, dear, no! Far superior to Mr.Pemberton and many years older," said Rose, with so much respect that Charlie looked perplexed as well as anxious.
"Some apostolic minister, I fancy.

You pious creatures always like to adore a parson.