She evidently had no appreciation for bar anecdote and judicial wit; she took little interest in political events, and knew nothing of the country or its people. He tried the subject of foreign travel, but his own solitary trip to Paris and Brussels afforded but a meagre experience of continental life, and he was shrewd enough not to swim a yard out of his depth. “She must have her weak point, if I could but discover it,” said he to himself. “It is not personal vanity, that I see. She does not want to be thought clever, nor even eccentric, which is the governess failing _par excellence_. What then can it be?” With all his ingenuity he could not discover. She would talk, and talk well, on any theme he started, but always like one who maintained conversation through politeness and not interest; and this very feature it was which piqued the old man's vanity, and irritated his self-love. When he spoke, she replied, and always with a sufficient semblance of interest; but if he were silent, she never opened her lips. “And so,” said he, after a longer pause than usual, “you tell me that you really care little or nothing whither Fortune may be now conducting you.” “To one in my station it really matters very little,” said she, calmly. “I don't suppose that the post-horses there have any strong preference for one road above another, if they be both equally level and smooth.” “There lies the very question,” said he; “for you now admit that there may be a difference.” “I have never found in reality,” said she, “that these differences were appreciable.” “How is it that one so young should be so--so philosophic?” said he, after a hesitation. “Had you asked me that question in French, Mr. Repton, the language would have come so pleasantly to your aid, and spared you the awkwardness of employing a grand phrase for a small quality; but my 'philosophy' is simply this: that, to fill a station whose casualties range from courtesies in the drawing-room to slights from the servants' hall, one must arm themselves with very defensive armor as much, nay more, against flattery than against sarcasm. If, in the course of time, this habit render one ungenial and uncompanionable, pray be lenient enough to ascribe the fault to the condition as much as to the individual.” “But, to be candid, I only recognize in you qualities the very opposite of all these; and if I am to confess a smart at this moment, it is in feeling that I am not the man to elicit them.” “There you do me wrong. I should be very proud to captivate Mr. Repton.” “Now we are on the good road at last!” said he, gayly; “for Mr. Repton is dying to be captivated.” “The fortress that is only anxious to surrender offers no great glory to the conqueror,” replied she. “By Jove! I 'm glad you 're not at the bar.” “If I had been, I could never have shown the same forbearance as Mr. Repton.” “How so? What do you mean?” “I never could have refused a silk gown, sir; and they tell me you have done so!”