“The notion of learning from _me_ is perfect,” said Mary, interrupting him with a pleasant laugh. “Why, Mr. Nelli-gan, I never could be taught anything, even of the most ordinary rules of ceremonial life! though,” added she, slyly, “I have lived certainly in the midst of great opportunities.” “But then, I have not,” said Nelligan, gravely, and accepting the speech in all seriousness. “Well, it comes pretty much to the same thing,” said she, smiling, “since I have profited so little by them.” “I came thus early, however,” said he, earnestly, “because I was impatient to correct an impression which might have remained from something that fell from me last night. You smile, I perceive,” said he, “that I should attach so much importance to my own words!” “It was not at that I smiled,” said Mary, archly. “No matter,” continued he. “It is better, at the cost of a little wounded vanity, that I should escape a misconception. When your uncle spoke to me, last night, about the division of parties in the borough--You are smiling again, Miss Martin!” “Don't you perceive, sir, that what amuses me is the mistaken estimate you have formed of me, by addressing me on such topics?” “But I came here expressly to speak to you,” said he, with increased eagerness; “for I have always heard--always understood--that none ever took a deeper interest in all that regarded the country than yourself.” “If you mean, by the country, the lives and fortunes of those who live in it,--the people by whose toil it is fertilized, by whose traits it is a nation,--I tell you frankly that I yield to none for interest in all that touches them; but if you come to talk of privileges and legislative benefits, I know nothing of them: they form a land of whose very geography I am ignorant.” “But the subject is the same, and the mind which comprehends one could embrace the other.” “In the one, however, I can labor usefully and fittingly, without much risk of mistake,--never, indeed, of any mistake that might prove of serious moment. The other involves great questions, and has great hazards, perils, to affright stronger heads than mine!” “There is much in what you say,” said he, reflectingly.