"Oh! but he is a joke, you know; ask any one. It is absurd to judge a whole community by one foolish man."
"I am glad you find the society to your taste," he returned, dryly. "By the bye, I have heard from Mrs. Courtly to-day. She asks if I know when you are likely to be in Boston, and will pay her a visit at her country place, Brackly."
"Mordaunt has made no plans for leaving New York at present. How long do you stay in Virginia?"
"I don't know. It depends. I shall not return to New York; but I shall return East shortly, and hope to be with Mrs. Courtly at the same time you are."
"I shall be very glad if you are." Then she added, with a smile, "You will not object to Boston society?"
"No, I shall not. Mrs. Courtly does not suffer fools gladly. You will not be dull in her house."
"I am never dull anywhere—certainly not here, where I have found plenty to interest and amuse me. I might say more than this, but I am afraid you would sneer."
"Pray go on. I won't sneer."
"I have found something to respect and to admire, which I do not find at home—in our best society. And that is, a much higher moral standard."
"How so? Not in public affairs? Not in railways? Not in the press? Not in Wall Street?"