The rarest quality among either sex, though it is the simplest, seems to me good-nature; and the only occupation of what are termed 'fashionable people' appears to be speaking ill of one another.

Nothing gives such a scope to scandal as mystery; nothing disarms it like openness.

I know, your friends know, Mr.Clifford, that your character can bear inspection; and I believe, for my own part, the same of your family.

Why not, then, declare who and what you are ?" "That candour would indeed be my best defender," said Clifford, in a tone which ran displeasingly through Lucy's ear; "but in truth, madam, I repeat, I care not one drop of this worthless blood what men say of me: that time has passed, and forever; perhaps it never keenly existed for me,--no matter.

I came hither, Miss Brandon, not wasting a thought on these sickening fooleries, or on the hoary idler by whom they are given.
I came hither only once more to see you, to hear you speak, to watch you move, to tell you"-- and the speaker's voice trembled, so as to be scarcely audible--"to tell you, if any reason for the disclosure offered itself, that I have had the boldness, the crime, to love--to love--O God! to adore you; and then to leave you forever!" Pale, trembling, scarcely preserved from falling by the tree against which she leaned, Lucy listened to this abrupt avowal.