argument as you please; and the rest may be spoken to the
wind.'

'If you are anxious to say anything more on the subject,'
replied she, as she shook hands with Rose, 'you must bring
your sister to see me some fine day, and I'll listen, as
patiently as you could wish, to whatever you please to say. I
would rather be lectured by you than the vicar, because I
should have less remorse in telling you, at the end of the
discourse, that I preserve my own opinion precisely the
same as at the beginning--as would be the case, I am
persuaded, with regard to either logician.'

'Yes, of course,' replied I, determined to be as provoking
as herself; 'for when a lady does consent to listen to an
argument against her own opinions, she is always predeter-
mined to withstand it--to listen only with her bodily ears,
keeping the mental organs resolutely closed against the
strongest reasoning.'

'Good-morning, Mr. Markham,' said my fair antagonist,
with a pitying smile; and deigning no further rejoinder, she
slightly bowed, and was about to withdraw; but her son,
with childish impertinence, arrested her by exclaiming,--
'Mamma, you have not shaken hands with Mr. Markham!'

She laughingly turned round and held out her hand. I
gave it a spiteful squeeze, for I was annoyed at the continual
injustice she had done me from the very dawn of our
acquaintance. Without knowing anything about my real
disposition and principles, she was evidently prejudiced
against me, and seemed bent upon showing me that her
opinions respecting me, on every particular, fell far below
those I entertained of myself. I was naturally touchy, or it
would not have vexed me so much. Perhaps, too, I was a
little bit spoiled by my mother and sister, and some other
ladies of my acquaintance;--and yet I was by no means a
fop--of that I am fully convinced, whether you are or not.

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