"That might be pardoned, sir, were it not for the extraordinary character of the expedient. Surely, you have never seen in me any taste for the very extraordinary images and figures of speech you have used, on this occasion." "This handkerchief,"--said Tom, taking me from the sofa--"this handkerchief must bear all the blame. But for this, I should not have dreamt of running so much on the high-pressure principle; but love, you know, Miss Julia, is a calculation, like any other great event of life, and must be carried on consistently." "And, pray, sir, how can that handkerchief have brought about any such result?" "Ah! Miss Monson, you ask me to use a most killing frankness! Had we not better remain under the influence of the poetical star?" "If you wish to ensure my respect, or esteem, Mr. Thurston, it is necessary to deal with me in perfect sincerity. Nothing but truth will ever be pleasing to me." "Hang it," THOUGHT Tom, again, "who knows? She is whimsical, and may really like to have the truth. It's quite clear her heart is as insensible to eloquence and poetry, as a Potter's Field wall, and it might answer to try her with a little truth. Your $80,000 girls get SUCH notions in their heads, that there's no analogy, as one might say, between them and the rest of the species. Miss Julia," continuing aloud, "my nature is all plain-dealing, and I am delighted to find a congenial spirit. You must have observed something very peculiar in my language, at the commencement of this exceedingly interesting dialogue?" "I will not deny it, Mr. Thurston; your language was, to say the least, VERY peculiar." "Lucid, but ambiguous; pathetic, but amusing; poetical, but comprehensive; prosaical, but full of emphasis. That's my nature. Plain-dealing, too, is my nature, and I adore the same quality in others; most especially in those I could wish to marry." "Does this wish, then, extend to the plural number?" asked Julia, smiling a little maliciously. "Certainly; when the heart is devoted to virtuous intentions, it wishes for a union with virtue, where-ever it is to be found. Competence and virtue are my mottoes, Miss Julia." "This shows that you are, in truth, a lover of plain-dealing, Mr. Thurston--and now, as to the handkerchief?" "Why, Miss Julia, perceiving that you are sincere, I shall be equally frank. You own this handkerchief?" "Certainly, sir. I should hardly use an article of dress that is the property of another." "Independent, and the fruit of independence. Well, Miss Monson, it struck me that the mistress of such a handkerchief MUST like poetry--that is, flights of the imagination--that is, eloquence and pathos, as it might be engrafted on passion and sentiment." "I believe I understand you, sir; you wish to say that common sense seemed misapplied to the owner of such a handkerchief."