'Perhaps so—but mine is only formed for friendship.'
'Fiddlestick! one lover is worth a hundred friends.'
'Nay, Fanny; I think one friend worth a thousand lovers; and I never met with a man capable of inspiring in me more than the merest friendship.'
'And how about my brother Tom?'
'Nay, nay, Fanny; now don't look so archly.'
'Well, then—our young Highland friend?'
Laura was silent, and became very pale.
'Speak?'
'You are a dear droll!' said Laura, making an effort to laugh, after a pause; 'well—he is both handsome and winning.'
'But so innocent—so particularly verdant.'