Guy Mannering.

GUY MANNERING. 317
"'How should I know, Miss? about your own age, I
suppose.'
O' Older, I should think, sir. You are always telling
me how much more decorously she goes through all the
honours of the tea-table. —Lord, papa, what if you should
give her a right to preside once and forever!'
"' Julia, my dear,' returned papa,' you are either a
fool outright, or you are more disposed to make mischief
than I have yet believed you.'
"'O, my dear sir! put your best construction upon it
— I would not be thought a fool for all the world.'
"'Then why do you talk like one?' said my father.
"'Lord, sir, I am sure there is nothing so foolish in
what I said just now. Everybody knows you are a very
handsome man,' (a smile was just visible,)' that is, for
your time of life,' (the dawn was overcast,)' which is far
from being advanced, and I am sure I don't know why
you should not please yourself, if you have a mind. I
am sensible I am but a thoughtless girl, and if a graver
companion could render you more happy'" There was a mixture of displeasure and grave affection in the manner in which my father took my hand,
that was a severe reproof to me for trifling with his feelings.' Julia,' he said,' I bear with much of your petulance, because I think I have in some degree deserved it,
by neglecting to superintend your education sufficiently
closely. Yet I would not have you give it the rein upon
a subject so delicate. If you do not respect the feelings
of your surviving parent towards the memory of her
whom you have lost, attend at least to the sacred claims
of misfortune; and observe, that the slightest hint of such
a jest reaching Miss Bertram's ears, would at once induce
her to renounce her present asylum, and go forth without