"
"You know not how much I regard you, Patience. I saw many highborn
women when I was away, but none could I see equal to Patience
Heatherstone, in my opinion; and Patience was ever in my thoughts
during my long absence."
"I thank you for your kind feelings toward me," replied Patience;
"but, Master Armitage, we were talking about your secret."
"Master Armitage!" rejoined Edward; "how well you know how to remind
me, by that expression, of my obscure birth and parentage, whenever I
am apt to forget the distance which I ought to observe!"
"You are wrong!" replied Patience; "but you flattered me so grossly,
that I called you Master Armitage to show that I disliked flattery,
that was all. I dislike flattery from those who are above me in rank,
as well as those who are below me; and I should have done the same to
any other person, whatever his condition might be. But forget what I
said, I did not mean to vex you, only to punish you for thinking me so
silly as to believe such nonsense."
"Your humility may construe that into flattery which was said by me in
perfect sincerity and truth-that I can not help," replied Edward. "I
might have added much more, and yet have been sincere; if you had not
reminded me of my not being of gentle birth, I might have had the
presumption to have told you much more; but I have been rebuked.
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