"It would be ridiculous, sir," said she, at length, with sudden spirit and dignity, "to affect ignorance of your meaning and intentions; but may I venture to ask what conduct of mine--what single act of mine--or word--or look--has ever induced you to imagine--for one moment to indulge so insane"---- "Alas, madam, that which you could not conceal or control--your incomparable excellence--your beauty--loveliness--Madam! madam! the mere sight of your transcendent charms--my soul sank prostrate before you the first moment that I ever saw you"---- All this was uttered by Gammon in a very low tone, and with passionate fervor of manner. Miss Aubrey trembled visibly, and had grown very cold. A little vinaigrette stood beside her--and its stinging stimulating powers were infinitely serviceable, and at length aided her in making head against her rebellious feelings. "I certainly ought to feel flattered, sir," said she, rapidly recovering herself--"by the high terms in which you are pleased to speak of me--of one who has not the slightest claim upon your good opinion. I really cannot conceive what conduct of mine can have led you to imagine that such an--an--_application_--as this could be successful--or received otherwise than with astonishment--and, if persisted in--_displeasure_, Mr. Gammon." This she said in her natural manner, and very pointedly. "Miss Aubrey--permit me"----said Mr. Gammon, passionately. "I cannot, sir--I have heard already too much; and I am sure, that when a lady requests a _gentleman_ to desist from conduct which pains and shocks her--sir," she added hastily and peremptorily--"I beg you will at once desist from addressing me in so very improper a strain and manner!" "Indulge my agonized feelings for one moment, Miss Aubrey," said Gammon, with desperate energy--"alas! I had suspected--I had feared--that our respective positions in society would lead you to despise so comparatively humble and obscure a person in point of station and circumstances"---- "_Sir!_" exclaimed Kate, magnificently, drawing up her figure to its utmost height--her manner almost petrifying Gammon, whose last words she had most unaccountably imagined, at the moment, to amount to a bitter sarcastic allusion to their fallen fortunes, and diminished personal consequence in society; but she was quickly undeceived, as he proceeded fervently--"Yes, madam--your birth--your family connections--your transcendent mental and personal qualities, shining all the brighter in the gloom of adversity"----