“There is much force in what you say, madam,” said I; with dignity, “and your words touch me profoundly.” I thought this a happy expression, for it conveyed a sort of grand condescension that seemed to hit off the occasion.
“You would never guess how I recognized you, sir,” said she.
“Never, madam.” I could have given my oath to this, if required.
“Well,” said she, with a bland smile, “it was from the resemblance to your mother!”
“Indeed!”
“Yes; you are far more like her, than your father, and you are scarcely so tall as he was.”
“Perhaps not, madam.”
“But you have his manner, sir, the graceful and captivating dignity that distinguished all your house; this would betray you to the eyes of all who have enjoyed the high privilege of knowing your family.”
The allusion to our house showed that we were royalties, and I laid my hand on my heart, and bowed as a prince ought, blandly but haughtily.
“Ah, sir,” said she, with a deep sigh, “your present enterprise fills me with apprehension. Are you not afraid, yourself, of the consequences?”