She was more--she was a young lady of reading and of ideas.

She did not exactly defend Charlton's theory in her reply, but she presented both sides of the controversy, and quoted some scientific authorities in such a way as to make it apparent that there _were_ two sides.

This unexpected and rather judicial assistance called forth from Charlton a warm acknowledgment, his pale face flushed with modest pleasure, and as he noted the intellectuality of Miss Minorkey's forehead he inwardly comforted himself that the only person of ideas in the whole company was not wholly against him.
Albert Charlton was far from being a "ladies' man;" indeed, nothing was more despicable in his eyes than men who frittered away life in ladies' company.

But this did not at all prevent him from being very human himself in his regard for ladies.

All the more that he had lived out of society all his life, did his heart flutter when he took his seat in the stage after dinner.