principal charms."

"Oh, do you really think so? I consider that a great compliment from you,
for I have often tried to repress myself, fearing that my impulsive and
sometimes passionate speech would offend your taste, you who are outwardly
so cold. Do you know, I have a whole vocabulary of endearing terms ready
to be poured into your ears as soon as you begin to give me
encouragement?"

"Then teach me how to encourage you, and I will certainly begin at once.
Shall we seek some retired spot, where we can be free from observation,
and then shall I seize your hand, fall on my knees, and, in vehement and
extravagant words, declare a passion which you already know I have, just
as well as you know I am breathing at this moment?"

"Good!" cried Margaret. "That's almost as fine as the real scene. So you
have a passion for me. I really think you are improving."

Before going on with this conversation, let me tell you a little more
about Margaret and my relations to her.

There was good cause for her complaint. I was at that time a sort of
animated icicle, as far as my emotional nature was concerned. But although
I could not express my feelings to Margaret in set phrase, I do not mind
saying to you that I loved her dearly, or thought I did, which was the
same thing for the time being. I loved her as well as I was capable of
loving anybody. What I lacked Margaret more than made up, for she was the
warmest-hearted creature in all the world. If I should begin to enumerate
her perfections of person and character I should never care to stop.