I am not as strong in philology as you are.

I should have said opprobrium--that is what I have always regarded beauty, such as yours, all my life." Miss Sallianna covered her face with her fan.

Here was an opportunity to supply the place of the faithless Verty and the odious Jinks.
As the thought occurred to her, Miss Sallianna assumed an awful expression of favor and innocent fondness.

Ralph shuddered as he caught sight of it.
"Are you fond of ladies, sir ?" asked Miss Sallianna, smiling.
"Yes, Miss Sallianna, devotedly," said Ralph, recovering, in some degree.
"I should think so." "Why, madam ?" "From your visits." "My visits ?" "Oh, yes--you are very sly!" "Sly ?--I ?" "Yes, sir!" "Never!" "I think you have grown fond of--" "Yourself, madam ?" "La--no.

I fear--" "As I do--" "That such a thing--" "Is more than I could presume to do," said Ralph, laughing.
Miss Sallianna bestowed upon the young gentleman a look from her maiden eyes, which seemed to say that he might presume to grow fond of her, if it had really become necessary to his peace of mind.
"But I meant Fanny," she said.
"Fanny!" "Yes, your cousin." "A mere baby!" said Ralph, with nonchalance.
"I agree with you." "Which I consider a circumstance of great encouragement, Miss Sallianna.