He proceeded instead, in fluent speech and not inappropriate language, to set forth, not the power of the poem--that he both took and left as a matter of course--but the beauty of those phrases, and the turns of those expressions, which particularly pleased him--nor failing to remark that, according to the strict laws of English verse, there was in it one bad rhyme.
That point Letty begged him to explain, thus leading Tom to an exposition of the laws of rhyme, in which, as far as English was concerned, he happened to be something of an expert, partly from an early habit of scribbling in ladies' albums.

About these surface affairs, Godfrey, understanding them better and valuing them more than Tom, had yet taught Letty nothing, judging it premature to teach polishing before carving; and hence this little display of knowledge on the part of Tom impressed Letty more than was adequate--so much, indeed, that she began to regard him as a sage, and a compeer of her cousin Godfrey.

Question followed question, and answer followed answer, Letty feeling all the time she _must_ go, yet standing and standing, like one in a dream, who thinks he can not, and certainly does not break its spell--for in the act only is the ability and the deed born.
Besides, was she to go away and leave her beautiful book in his hand?
What would Godfrey think if she did?
Again and again she stretched out her own to take it, but, although he saw the motion, he held on to the book as to his best anchor, hurriedly turned its leaves by fits and searching for something more to his mind than anything of Milton's.
Suddenly his face brightened.
"Ah!" he said--and remained a moment silent, reading.

"I don't wonder," he resumed, "at your admiration of Milton.

He's very grand, of course, and very musical, too; but one can't be listening to an organ always.
Not that I prefer merry music; that must be inferior, for the tone of all the beauty in the world is sad." Much Tom Helmer knew of beauty or sadness either! but ignorance is no reason with a fool for holding his tongue.