"She is rather pretty." "Rather pretty! Why, she is an acknowledged beauty." "A beauty?
The idea! Long black thing!" Then they rode all together to the farm.

There Mary was all innocent hospitality, and the obnoxious Julia kissed her at parting, and begged her to come and see her at the Hall.
Mary did call, and found her with a young gentleman of short stature, who was devouring her with his eyes, but did not overflow in discourse, having a slight impediment in his speech.

This was Mr.Percy Fitzroy.
Julia introduced him.
"And where are you staying, Percy ?" inquired she.
"At the D--D--Dun Cow." "What is that ?" Walter explained that it was a small hostelry, but one that was occasionally honored by distinguished visitors.

Miss Bartley staid there three days.
"I h--hope to st--ay more than that," said little Percy, with an amorous glance at Julia.
Miss Clifford took Mary to her room, and soon asked her what she thought of him; then, anticipating criticism, she said there was not much of him, but he was such a duck.
"He dresses beautifully," was Mary's guarded remark.
However, when Walter rode home with her, being now relieved of his attendance on Julia, she was more communicative.

Said she: "I never knew before that a man could look like fresh cambric.