"It is not very Christian, I think, to depreciate them, especially at a Time like this." "My dear _Patty_, I stand reproved. I did not sufficiently consider, nor, indeed, sufficiently know the Wound your Feelings had just experienced." This touched me, and I said, "We will speak of it no more, Sir. I am glad to see you looking so well. You told me, I think, you had heard some good News." "Yes, from Mr. _Caryl_." "Quack!" said I hastily; losing my Temper and good Manners in my revived Impression of that Gentleman's Duplicity and Hollowness. "_Patty!_" said Mr. _Fenwick_, in a Tone of mild Surprise. "I beg your Pardon, Sir," said I, ashamed of myself, "but you know I never can hear that Gentleman's Name with Patience." "I do know it," said he, smiling very pleasantly, "and should retort on you the Accusation of Uncharitableness, or else endeavour to laugh you out of your singular Prejudice against him, but that I feel Something in it so flattering to myself, that I am disarmed. However, I have that to tell you of him now, which will, I fancy, alter your Opinion." "Nothing will alter my Opinion of him," persisted I, "no Good will ever come to you from that Quarter." "Why not?" "Because I know him better than you do." He laughed. "You may laugh, Sir," said I, "but you'll see in Time that I am right. Have you seen him lately?" "Not since I was in this House." "Ah, well, I have seen him more than once--I've seen him and heard him among his own Set, when he didn't know I was by, and he said Things that ... convinced me he was a false Friend to you." "What were those Things?" "I'm not clear that I have a Right to repeat them." "An accused Party has always a Right to have the Charge against him substantiated. You are silent?--Well, Mrs. _Patty_, since you are so inveterate against this poor Gentleman, I shall only irritate you, I am afraid, by acquainting you with Anything in his Favour, and therefore I'll keep my News to myself--" "Just tell me one Thing--Has he sent you back your Poem?" "My Poem! No--you know he accidently burnt that, Months ago." "Pshaw!" "You never will believe it," continued he laughing, "nor forgive him for it. Why, _I_ have forgiven him, this long While; and if I have, can't _you_?" "No." "Well, _Patty_, this Interest in the Fate of my unlucky Manuscript is, as I have before told you, very gratifying to me; but still, I should be more gratified if you would do Justice to an innocent Man." "Why, he was here, the Night before last, Sir! and from the careless Way in which he inquired for you, I could see he did not value you a Straw! I really wonder at you, Mr. _Fenwick_."