What higher ambition can there be than to serve one's country for such an end?
Your sense of duty is too keen not to feel that the noblest objects which can inspire any woman, combine to point out your course." Mrs.Lee was excessively uncomfortable, although not in the least shaken.
She began to see that she must take a stronger tone if she meant to bring this importunity to an end, and she answered:-- "I do not doubt your affection or your sincerity, Mr.Ratcliffe.

It is myself I doubt.

You have been kind enough to give me much of your confidence this winter, and if I do not yet know about politics all that is to be known, I have learned enough to prove that I could do nothing sillier than to suppose myself competent to reform anything.

If I pretended to think so, I should be a mere worldly, ambitious woman, such as people think me.

The idea of my purifying politics is absurd.