He is evidently accomplished in mind and graceful in manner, and withal the most uninteresting person I ever met." "Women have not often thought so," said Brandon.

"I cannot believe that they can think otherwise." A certain expression, partaking of scorn, played over Brandon's hard features.

It was a noticeable trait in him, that while he was most anxious to impress Lucy with a favourable opinion of Lord Mauleverer, he was never quite able to mask a certain satisfaction at any jest at the earl's expense, or any opinion derogatory to his general character for pleasing the opposite sex; and this satisfaction was no sooner conceived than it was immediately combated by the vexation he felt that Lucy did not seem to share his own desire that she should become the wife of the courtier.

There appeared as if in that respect there was a contest in his mind between interest on one hand and private dislike or contempt on the other.
"You judge women wrongly!" said Brandon.

"Ladies never know each other; of all persons, Mauleverer is best calculated to win them, and experience has proved my assertion.