'Nonsense, sir!' replied the young lady sharply, smiling though as she
turned aside, and biting her lip, (whereat Mrs Browdie, who was still
standing on the stairs, glanced at her with disdain, and called to her
husband to come away).
'No, but listen to me,' said the young man. 'If admiration of a pretty
face were criminal, I should be the most hopeless person alive, for I
cannot resist one. It has the most extraordinary effect upon me, checks
and controls me in the most furious and obstinate mood. You see what an
effect yours has had upon me already.'
'Oh, that's very pretty,' replied the young lady, tossing her head,
'but--'
'Yes, I know it's very pretty,' said the young man, looking with an air
of admiration in the barmaid's face; 'I said so, you know, just this
moment. But beauty should be spoken of respectfully--respectfully, and
in proper terms, and with a becoming sense of its worth and excellence,
whereas this fellow has no more notion--'
The young lady interrupted the conversation at this point, by thrusting
her head out of the bar-window, and inquiring of the waiter in a shrill
voice whether that young man who had been knocked down was going to
stand in the passage all night, or whether the entrance was to be left
clear for other people.
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