Dear me, sir, may not a lady and
gentleman become acquainted without necessarily falling in love?"
"Ah, but, in your case, my dear Miss Goodwin, it would be
difficult--impossible I should say--to remain indifferent, if the
gentleman had either taste or sentiment; however, I assure you I am
sincerely glad to find that I have been mistaken."
"God bless me, Mr. Woodward," said Mrs. Goodwin, "did you think they
were sweethearts?"
"Upon my honor, madam, I did--and I was very sorry for it."
"Mr. Woodward," replied Alice, "don't mistake me; I am inaccessible to
flattery."
"I am delighted to hear it," said he, "because I know that for that
reason you are not and will not be insensible to truth."
"Unless when it borrows the garb of flattery, and thus causes itself to
be suspected."
"In that case," said Woodward, "nothing but good sense, Miss Goodwin,
can draw the distinction between them--and now I know that you are
possessed of that."
"I hope so, sir," she replied, "and that I will ever continue to observe
that distinction. Mamma, I want more thread," she said: "where can I get
it?"
"Up stairs, dear, in my work-box.
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