The stranger looked all astonishment.

"Nay, that will certainly be the most pleasant method; so I don't affect to wonder at it; nevertheless——"

She hesitated, but her face was tinted with a glow of disturbance, and her voice announced strong rising emotion, as she presently added, "If you think of forming any attachment with that man—"

She stopt abruptly.

The heightened amazement of the stranger kept her for a few instants speechless; but the troubled brow of Elinor soon made her with firmness and spirit answer, "Attachment? I protest to you, Madam, except at those periods when his benevolence or urbanity have excited my gratitude, my own difficulties have absorbed my every thought!"

"I heartily congratulate your apathy!" said Elinor, her features instantly dilating into a smile; for he is so completely a non-descript, that he would else incontestably set you upon hunting out for some new Rosamund's Pond. That is all I mean."