But where am I wandering to?
Well, my dear Catherine, the case seems to be that you are determined against poor John--is not it so ?" "I certainly cannot return his affection, and as certainly never meant to encourage it." "Since that is the case, I am sure I shall not tease you any further.
John desired me to speak to you on the subject, and therefore I have.
But I confess, as soon as I read his letter, I thought it a very foolish, imprudent business, and not likely to promote the good of either; for what were you to live upon, supposing you came together?
You have both of you something, to be sure, but it is not a trifle that will support a family nowadays; and after all that romancers may say, there is no doing without money.

I only wonder John could think of it; he could not have received my last." "You do acquit me, then, of anything wrong ?--You are convinced that I never meant to deceive your brother, never suspected him of liking me till this moment ?" "Oh! As to that," answered Isabella laughingly, "I do not pretend to determine what your thoughts and designs in time past may have been.

All that is best known to yourself.

A little harmless flirtation or so will occur, and one is often drawn on to give more encouragement than one wishes to stand by.

But you may be assured that I am the last person in the world to judge you severely.