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should think it would be overmuch, for affronting a virtuous woman, without cause. And, indeed, if I were free to confess the truth, I must own there's something about you, which I don't over-much know what to call, but that is so agreeable, that it goes against me to think ill of you."
"Ah, Sir! think well of me, then! — let your benevolence be as liberal as it is kind, and try, for once, to judge favourably of a stranger upon trust!"
"Well, I will! I will, then! if you have the complaisance to wish for my good opinion, I will!" cried he, nodding, while his eyes glistened; "though it's not my general method, I can tell you, young woman, to go the direct opposite road to my understanding. But, out of the way as things may look, you seem to me, in the main, to be an innocent person; so pray, Ma'am, don't refuse to accept this little token of my good will."
The countenance of the stranger exhibited strong indecision. He enjoined
