"Humph! I think, madam, when you come to consider all things, you will hardly think it possible for me to be too suspicious."
"You are wrong again. I dare say now, in your mind, you attribute most of your evils to me."
"Well, madam, candidly speaking, should I be far wrong by so doing?"
"You would be quite wrong. Alas! alas! I—"
"You what, madam? Pray, speak up."
"I am the victim of another. You cannot suppose that, of my own free will, I should shut up in these gloomy places a person of your age, and by no means ill-looking." "I have him there," thought Mrs. Lovett; "what human heart is proof against the seductions of flattery? Oh, I have him there."
The cook was silent for some few moments, and then he said, quite calmly, as though the tribute to his personal appearance had not had the smallest effect—
"Pray go on, madam, I am quite anxious to hear all that you may have to say to me."
This composed manner of meeting her compliments rather discomposed Mrs. Lovett; but after all, she thought—"He is only acting an indifference he is far from feeling." With this impression she resolved to persevere, and she added, in a kind and conciliating tone of voice—
"I grant that circumstances are such that you may well be excused for any amount of doubt that you may feel regarding the honesty of my words and intentions towards you."