Have you ever seen a bird hovering in the air, not knowing where to alight?
Give it time, and it makes its selection and swiftly follows its choice.

No good hunter rushes at it in the hope of capturing it during the moment of indecision." "Indeed, Miss Wildmere, if I understand your little parable, I think Mr.Arnault errs egregiously, yet he does not frighten the bird into a very distant flight." "You do not know how distant it is." "No; I only see that he goes straight for the bird the moment he sees her." "He might have found a more considerate policy wiser." Then she added, gravely, with a little reproach in her voice: "Mr.Arnault is an old friend and a friend of papa's, whom he often favors in business.

I think my manner toward you should prove that I am not inclined to be disloyal toward old friends.

You have just defended Miss Alden against a little feminine spite on my part.

That was nice.