smile, "the truth then is, that I don't know whether the flower-pot be
pretty or ugly, but I was determined not to say it was pretty."

"But why," said Henry, "did you look so heroically severe about the
matter?"

"The reason I looked grave," said Forester, "was, because I was afraid
your sister Flora would be spoiled by all the foolish compliments that
were paid to her and her flower-pot."

"You are very considerate; and Flora, I am sure, is much obliged to you,"
said Dr. Campbell, smiling, "for being so clear-sighted to the dangers of
female vanity. You would not then, with a safe conscience, trust the
completion of her education to her mother, or to myself?"

"I am sure, sir," said Forester, who now, for the first time, seemed
sensible that he had not spoken with perfect propriety, "I would not
interfere impertinently for the world. You are the best judges; only I
thought parents were apt to be partial. Henry has saved my life, and I am
interested for every thing that belongs to him. So I hope, if I said any
thing rude, you will attribute it to a good motive. I wish the flower-pot
had never made its appearance, for it has made me appear very
impertinent."

Flora laughed with so much good humour at this odd method of expressing
his contrition, that even Forester acknowledged the influence of engaging
manners and sweetness of temper. He lifted up the flower-pot, so as
completely to screen his face, and, whilst he appeared to be examining
it, he said, in a low voice, to Henry, "She is above the foibles of her
sex."