countenance
and air
was such
as might
have given
the most
acute
observer a
conviction
that,
however
amiable
her
temper,
her heart
was not
likely to
be easily
touched.
That I was
desirous
of
believing
her
indifferent
is certain
– but I
will
venture to
say that
my
investigation
and
decisions
are not
usually
influenced
by my
hopes or
fears. I
did not
believe
her to be
indifferent
because I
wished it;
I believed
it on
impartial
conviction,