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Book, page 11 / 484 "And if he did," replied Caroline, "that would make no difference in my opinion of him." "I doubt _that_," said Rosamond: "I know a person's admiring me would make a great difference in my opinion of his taste and judgment--and how much more if he had sense enough to admire you!" Rosamond paused, and stood for some minutes silent in reverie. "It will never do, my dear," said Mrs. Percy, looking up at her; "trust me it will never do; turn him which way you will in your imagination, you will never make a hero of him--nor yet a brother-in-law." "My dear mother, how could you guess what I was thinking of?" said Rosamond, colouring a little, and laughing; "but I assure you--now let me explain to you, ma'am, in one word, what I think of M. de Tourville." "Hush! my dear, he is here." The gentlemen came into the room to tea.--M. de Tourville walked to the table at which Mrs. Percy was sitting; and, after various compliments on the beauty of the views from the windows, on the richness of the foliage in the park, and the superiority of English verdure, he next turned to look at the pictures in the saloon, distinguished a portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds, then passing to a table on which lay several books--"Is it permitted?" said he, taking up one of them--the Life of Lord Nelson. M. de Tourville did not miss the opportunity of paying a just and what to English ears he knew must be a delightful, tribute of praise to our naval hero. Then opening several other books, he made a rash attempt to pronounce in English their titles, and with the happy facility of a Frenchman, he touched upon various subjects, dwelt upon none, but found means on all to say something to raise himself and his country in the opinion of the company, and at the same time to make all his auditors pleased with themselves. Presently, taking a seat between Rosamond and Caroline, he applied himself to draw out their talents for conversation. Nor did he labour in vain. They did not shut themselves up in stupid and provoking silence, nor did they make any ostentatious display of their knowledge or abilities.--M. de Tourville, as Rosamond had justly observed, seemed to be particularly struck with Miss Caroline Percy.--She was beautiful,
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