It is a great evil that virtuous men should ever make themselves disagreeable, and it is also a great evil that vicious men should make themselves agreeable; but the latter is quite as common as the former, and perhaps more so. He that exercises no reflection, and never turns his thoughts within, has so much the more attention to give to the external of manner and address. And so much had Lord Spoonbill cultivated manner, that although Penelope had reason to suppose him to be no conjuror, and though she had also reason to think that his morals were not the most pure, yet he was not altogether offensive and disagreeable to her. She could not but feel almost grateful to him for having so readily abstained from urging the topic which he had mentioned on the day of her meeting with her father. It also appeared to her highly flattering and complimentary, that a person of his lordship's rank should deign to pay court to one of inferior station; for there was not in her mind the slightest or remotest suspicion that Lord Spoonbill had any other than the most honourable intention in making a profession of attachment. When his lordship made his appearance, he was received cordially and as cheerfully as circumstances would permit. Penelope had now fully made up her mind to adopt the profession recommended by the Countess of Smatterton, and as Lord Spoonbill had on the previous day, in conversation with Mr Primrose, used arguments rather recommendatory of that step, the young lady could not of course imagine that there remained in his lordship's mind any intention whatever of pursuing the subject of his attachment, or renewing any mention of his love and devotedness. This thought gave to her manner a much greater ease, and being also blended with the pensiveness of her present feelings, presented her to the eye of Lord Spoonbill as more interesting and lovely than ever. His lordship was a vain man; and to possess so lovely a creature as Penelope, would be the means of gratifying his vanity. He was cunning enough however to see that Miss Primrose was quite unsuspicious of his designs, and that she did not anticipate a revival of that discourse to which her earnest supplications had put a stop. He felt therefore that it would not be prudent hastily to recommence a conversation of that nature, but to endeavour to render himself more agreeable, and to try to ascertain how far there yet remained in her recollection any tender thoughts of Robert Darnley.