"You are evading my question."
"No. I wanted to say to you that I do not consider it feasible to characterize any person justly. If I praise Roland, it seems to me as if I were praising a portion of myself; and if I point out his deficiencies, then perhaps I am too severe, because I feel as if they were my own. One thing, however, a human being may be allowed to say in his own commendation; and so I may be allowed to say of Roland, that he has industry, perseverance, and truthfulness; this is the solid rock on which the moral superstructure can be erected."
Manna involuntarily held up her prayer-book with both hands, as if it were a shield.
Eric, thinking he understood the meaning of this motion, said:—
"It has been, and is, a leading object with me, that Roland should gain an eye of his own, and trust to his own eye."
"An eye of his own?" Manna asked in wonderment.
"Yes, you will readily perceive what I mean by that. And now I have one favor to ask for myself."
"For yourself?"
"Yes Simply believe that I hold in high respect your ideal of life, because I regard it as sincere in you; and the favor I have to ask is, that you will do the same with me."
"I was not aware—" Manna answered, blushing deeply.