[...]my Memory Is Reasonably Good—unlike Yours, Dear

[he Was Aware] Of The Value Of The Word Of Praise Dropped At Exactly The Right Moment; And He Would Have Thought Himself Extremely Stupid To Withhold What Cost Him So Little And Was Productive Of Such Desirable Results.

Did You Imagine That You Would Make Me Believe Ill Of Sophy With Your Foolish And Spiteful Letter!' He Demanded. 'you Have Tried To Set Me Against Her From The Outset, But You Over-reached Yourself Today, My Girl! How Dared You Write In Such Terms To Me! How Could You Have Been So Crassly Stupid As To Suppose That Sophy Could Ever Need Your Countenance To Set Her Right In The Eyes Of The World, Or That I Would Believe One Word Of Slander Against Her?

Those Fine Eyes Of Hers Had A Disconcertingly Direct Gaze, And Very Often Twinkled In A Manner Disturbing To Male Egotism. She Had Common-sense Too, And What Man Wanted The Plainly Matter-of-fact, When He Could Enjoy Instead Sophia's Delicious Folly?

Don't You Dare Call Me Arrogant!if Ever I Had Any At All-which I Deny!- How Much Could I Possibly Have Left After Having Been Ridden Over Rough-shod By You And Thomas, Do You Imagine?

The Charm Of Your Society, My Sparrow, Lies In Not Knowing What Will You Say Next - Though One Rapidly Learns To Fear The Worst!