"Pray do not make me unjust. This is a lady
with a fine mind, and, not a designing woman."
"Oh, I don't say she has laid any plans; but these things are always
extemporized the moment the chance comes. You can count beforehand on the
instinct of every woman who is clever and needy, and on Vizard's peculiar
weakness for women out of the common. He is hard upon the whole sex; but
he is no match for individuals. He owned as much himself to me one day.
You are not angry with me!"
"No, no. Angry with _you?"_
"It is you I think of in all this. He is a fine fellow, and you are proud
of him. I wouldn't have him marry to mortify you. For myself, while the
sister honors me with her regard, I really don't much care who has the
brother and the acres. I have the best of the bargain."
Zoe disputed this--in order to make him say it several times.
He did, and proved it in terms that made her cheeks red with modesty and
gratified pride; and by the time they had got home, he had flattered
everything but pride, love, and happiness out of her heart, poor girl.
The world is like the Law, full of implied contracts: we give and take,
without openly agreeing to.
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