"Which of them?" asked Margarette. "Which! you stupid creature!--as if you knew not which I meant!--But which of them do you like best?" "I was most pleased with your cousin's conversation," Margarette replied. "Why?" asked Alice. "I am sure Gordon converses elegantly." "He has words enough at command," said Margarette,--"but a scarcity of ideas; and those he has are not weighty. While listening to him I could not help thinking it was like dressing a little four-penny doll, in a large robe of silver tissue. Mr. Montague's conversation was really entertaining and instructive." "I expected you to be severe, _of course_," said Alice, "yet I think you can find no fault with his manners." "He is quite at his ease, and appears a gentleman, certainly," said Margarette, "yet his manners did not please me. There was too much show--he was _too_ easy--has too much manner; and, if I may judge from one interview, he is not at all wanting in self-complacency." "Cousin Hubert's quiet way suited your singular taste better, I dare say," said Alice. "It certainly did--for he did not appear to be thinking of himself. His manners to-day were truly polished and refined; and if they arise from his heart, as I hope they did, I should judge very favorably of the man." "I suppose you think him best looking, too!" said Alice--"best dressed and all!" "In person they are both elegant young men," said Margarette, "but Mr. Montague's dress certainly suited me best,--as I doubt whether to be comfortable is not his first object in the choice of his apparel. As for Mr. Gordon, he must make dress a study. You see, Alice, as I had nothing to do but look and listen, I could learn a good deal of them in the hour and a half that they were here." "Well, as you _studied_ them, do let me know what you think of their faces." {80} "I have told you enough for once," said Margarette, "wait for the remainder till I see them again--perhaps I may change my opinion." "No, no," said Alice,--"let me have it now--When you change your opinion, you can let me know it.--What of their faces?" "Mr. Gordon, then," said Margarette, "knows that he is handsome,--and he has studied the exterior of his head so much, that I should fear he has somewhat neglected the interior." "And what of cousin Hubert's?" "I think his head very fine--very classical. His face is decidedly intellectual--his eyes uncommonly good." "And what of his mouth and teeth?" said Alice. "Peculiarly handsome," said Margarette. "And now, as you can possibly have no more questions to ask, pray let me know your opinion." "You must have known that a long time. Cousin Hubert is--I can't say what he is--but just what I approve; and as for Gordon, he is the divinest creature alive!" While this conversation was going on in Mr. Claremont's parlor, one not dissimilar was carried on in the street betwixt the gentlemen, Montague and Gordon.