to her object, though the magical multitude of advising and abusive voices continually called to her to turn back, is one of the rarest qualities in man or woman, and not to be had for love, money, or admiration."
"You place admiration not only above money, but above love, in your climax, I perceive," said Belinda, smiling.
"I will give you leave to be as philosophically sarcastic as you please, my dear, if you will only smile, and if you will not look as pale as Seneca's Paulina, whose story we heard—from whom?"
"From Mr. Hervey, I believe."
"His name was ready upon your lips; I hope he was not far from your thoughts?"
"No one could be farther from my thoughts," said Belinda.
"Well, very likely—I believe it, because you say it; and because it is impossible."
"Rally me as much as you please, my dear Lady Delacour, I assure you that I speak the simple truth."
"I cannot suspect you of affectation, my dear. Therefore honestly tell me, if Clarence Hervey were at your feet this instant, would you spurn him from you?"
"Spurn him! no—I would neither spurn him, nor motion him from me; but without using any of the terms in the heroine's dictionary——"
"You would refuse him?" interrupted Lady Delacour, with a look of indignation—"you would refuse him?"
"I did not say so, I believe."
"You would accept him?"
"I did not say so, I am sure."
"Oh, you would tell him that you were not accustomed to him?"
"Not exactly in those words, perhaps."
"Well, we shall not quarrel about words," said Lady Delacour; "I only beg you to remember your own principles; and if ever you are put to the trial, be consistent. The first thing in a philosopher is to be consistent."
"Fortunately, for the credit of my philosophy, there is no immediate danger of its being put to the test."
"Unfortunately, you surely mean; unless you are afraid that it might not stand the test. But I was going, when I spoke of consistency, to remind you that all your own and Mr. Percival's arguments about first loves may now, with equal propriety, be turned against you."
"How against me?"
"They are evidently as applicable to second as to