My sudden interest in you, the recollection of former, but painful scenes, and the events of the day, have made me watchful, and, you will add, bold--but I am resolved to speak, even at the risk of disobliging you for ever--and, in speaking, I must say that I never met with a young man who has made so unfavourable an impression on me, as this same Mr.Wychecombe." Mildred, unconsciously to herself, withdrew her arm, and she felt astonished at her own levity, in so suddenly becoming sufficiently intimate with a stranger to permit him thus to disparage a confirmed friend.
"I am sorry, sir, that you entertain so indifferent an opinion of one who is, I believe, a general favourite, in this part of the country," she answered, with a coldness that rendered her manner marked.
"I perceive I shall share the fate of all unwelcome counsellors, but can only blame my own presumption.

Mildred, we live in momentous times, and God knows what is to happen to myself, in the next few months; but, so strong is the inexplicable interest that I feel in your welfare, that I shall venture still to offend.

I like not this Mr.Wychecombe, who is so devout an admirer of yours--real or affected--and, as to the liking of dependants for the heir of a considerable estate, it is so much a matter of course, that I count it nothing." "The heir of a considerable estate!" repeated Mildred, in a voice to which the natural sweetness returned, quietly resuming the arm, she had so unceremoniously dropped--"Surely, dear sir, you are not speaking of Mr.Thomas Wychecombe, Sir Wycherly's nephew." "Of whom else should I speak ?--Has he not been your shadow the whole day ?--so marked in his attentions, as scarce to deem it necessary to conceal his suit ?" "Has it really struck you thus, sir ?--I confess I did not so consider it.

We are so much at home at the Hall, that we rather expect all of that family to be kind to us.

But, whether you are right in your conjecture, or not, Mr.Thomas Wychecombe can never be ought to me--and as proof, Admiral Bluewater, that I take your warning, as it is meant, in kindness and sincerity, I will add, that he is not a very particular favourite." "I rejoice to hear it! Now there is his namesake, our young lieutenant, as gallant and as noble a fellow as ever lived--would to Heaven be was not so wrapt up in his profession, as to be insensible to any beauties, but those of a ship.