"I am less deep than you suppose."
"At least you know all my faults. You are always, in a quiet way, making gibes and sarcasms at my expense, and touching upon my weakest points."
"Does it make you angry?"
"No; I rather like it; but I wish to repay you. I wish to find your weaknesses, but cannot. Have you any?"
"Yes, an abundance."
"And will you tell me what they are?"
"What, that you may use them against me! The moment you know them, you will attack me without mercy; and if you see me wince, it is all over with me."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that you cease to like one as soon as you find that you can gain the least advantage over him. If I could really make you a little afraid of me, you would like me all the better for it. No, I will show you none of my weaknesses; and perhaps, if I did, you would not find them of a kind that you could use against me. I can strike at you, but you cannot hurt me. I am armed in proof. I defy you."
In saying this, at least, Morton showed some knowledge of his companion's character. To defy her successfully was a great step towards gaining her good graces; for with all her wildness she was very sensitive to the good or ill opinion of those who could compel her to respect them. She became very anxious to know what Morton thought of her.