"Flirtation, I would have you believe, my good brother, is sometimes quite an agreeable and exciting pastime." "Faute de mieux," said Harry, smiling. {"faute de mieux" = for want of anything better (French)} "You surprise me, Josephine, by saying so, as you are no flirt yourself," observed her brother, with a perfectly honest and natural expression. "Well, I don't know; certainly I never flirt intentionally; but I won't be sure my spirits have not carried me away sometimes. Have you never, Miss Wyllys, in moments of gaiety or excitement, said more than you intended to?" "Have I never flirted, do you mean?" asked Elinor, smiling. "But though you say it yourself, I don't believe you are a bit of a flirt, Mrs. Creighton," said the unsuspicious Mr. Wyllys. "Oh, no, sir; I would not have you believe me a regular flirt for the world. I only acknowledge to a little trifling, now and then. Miss Wyllys knows what I mean; we women are more observant of each other. Now, haven't you suspected me of flirting more than once?" "You had better ask me," said Mary Van Alstyne; "Elinor is not half suspicious enough." "The acquittal of the gentlemen ought to satisfy you," said Elinor. "They are supposed to be the best judges. Are you sure, however, that you did not flirt with Mr. Hopkins?--he was at Nahant with you, I believe." "I am afraid it surpasses the power of woman to distract Mr. Hopkins's attention from a sheepshead or a paugee." {"sheepshead" and "paugee" (porgy) = names applied to a number of American fish esteemed by anglers} "You have really a very pretty view here, Miss Wyllys, although there is nothing bold or commanding in the country; it makes a very pleasant home picture," observed Mr. Ellsworth, who had been looking about him. "That reach in the river has a very good effect; the little hamlet, too, looks well in the distance; and the wood and meadow opposite, are as well placed as one could wish." "I am glad you like it; but we really think that, for such simple scenery, it is uncommonly pretty," replied Elinor. "Yes; even your fastidious friend, Mr. Stryker, pronounced the landscape about Wyllys-Roof to be very well put together," said Mrs. Creighton. "Mr. Stryker, however, professes to have no eye for anything of the kind," replied Elinor. "That is only one of the man's affectations; his eyes are more like those of other people than he is willing to confess. Though Mr. Stryker pretends to be one of your men of the world, whose notions are all practical, yet one soon discovers that he cherishes his useless foibles, like other people," said the lady, with an air of careless frankness; though intending the speech for the benefit of Hazlehurst and Mr. Wyllys, who both stood near her. "Perhaps you don't know that Mr. Stryker has preceded you into our neighbourhood," said Mary Van Alstyne. "He is staying at Mr. de Vaux's."