during breakfast, and felt a strong sense of relief the moment he left
the room."

"Poor child, impressions are nothing. I have met men of whom first
impressions were uniformly unfavorable, who, notwithstanding their rough
outsides, were persons of sterling worth and character."

"Yes, papa, and men of great plausibility and ease of manner, who, on
the contrary, were deep, hypocritical and selfish when discovered and
their hearts laid open. As regards Mr. Woodward, however, heaven forbid
that I should place the impressions of an ignorant girl like myself
against the knowledge and experience of a man who has had such
opportunities of knowing the world as you. All I can say is, that
whilst he seemed to breathe a very generous spirit, my impressions
were completely at variance with every sentiment he uttered. Perhaps,
however, I do him injustice--and I should regret that very much. I will
then, in deference to your opinion, papa, endeavor to control those
impressions and think as well of him as I can."

"You are right, Alice, and I thank you. We should never, if possible,
suffer ourselves to be prematurely ungenerous in our estimate of
strangers, especially when we know that this world is filled with the
most absurd and ridiculous prejudices. How do you know, my dear child,
that yours is not one of them?"

"Alice, love," said her mother, "I think, upon reflection, your father
is right, as he always is; let us not be less generous than this young
man, and you know it would be ungenerous to prejudge him; and this comes
the more strange from you, my love, inasmuch as I never yet heard you
express a prejudice almost against any person."