"I understand you perfectly, my child," interrupted
the aunt, "merely as an unnecessary security, you
mean."
"To make assurance doubly sure," cried Charles
Weston with a laugh.
"Oh! you laugh, Mr. Weston," said Julia with a little
anger; "but I have often said, you were incapable of
friendship."
"Try me!" exclaimed the youth fervently. "Do not
condemn me without a trial."
"How can I?" said Julia, laughing in her turn. "You
are not a girl."
"Can girls then only feel friendship?" inquired
Charles, taking the seat which Miss Emmerson had
relinquished.
"I sometimes think so," said Julia, with her own
good-humoured smile. "You are too gross--too
envious--in short, you never see such friendships
between men as exist between women."
"Between girls, I will readily admit," returned the
youth. "But let us examine this question after the
manner of the courts--"
"Nay, if you talk law I shall quit you," interrupted
the young lady gaily.
"Certainly one so learned in the subject need not
dread a cross-examination," cried the youth, in her
own manner.
"Well, proceed," cried the lady. "I have driven aunt
Margaret from the field, and you will fare no better,
I can assure you."
"Men, you say, are too gross to feel a pure
friendship; in the first place, please to explain
yourself on this point."
"Why I mean, that your friendships are generally
interested; that it requires services and good
offices to support it.
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