. Fairfax, 'Indeed!'
Now Mr. Fairfax says this ay, ay, and indeed, which are slight words
enough in themselves, with so very unfathomable an air, and accompanies
them with such a very equivocal smile, that ma and the young ladies are
more than ever convinced that he means an immensity, and so tell him he
is a very dangerous man, and seems to be always thinking ill of somebody,
which is precisely the sort of character the censorious young gentleman
is most desirous to establish; wherefore he says, 'Oh, dear, no,' in a
tone, obviously intended to mean, 'You have me there,' and which gives
them to understand that they have hit the right nail on the very centre
of its head.

When the conversation ranges from the mystery overhanging the censorious
young gentleman's behaviour, to the general topics of the day, he
sustains his character to admiration. He considers the new tragedy well
enough for a new tragedy, but Lord bless us--well, no matter; he could
say a great deal on that point, but he would rather not, lest he should
be thought ill-natured, as he knows he would be. 'But is not Mr.
So-and-so's performance truly charming?' inquires a young lady.
'Charming!' replies the censorious young gentleman. 'Oh, dear, yes,
certainly; very charming--oh, very charming indeed.' After this, he
stirs the fire, smiling contemptuously all the while: and a modest young
gentleman, who has been a silent listener, thinks what a great thing it
must be, to have such a critical judgment. Of music, pictures, books,
and poetry, the censorious young gentleman has an equally fine
conception. As to men and women, he can tell all about them at a glance.
'Now let us hear your opinion of young Mrs. Barker,' says some great
believer in the powers of Mr. Fairfax, 'but don't be too severe.' 'I
never am severe,' replies the censorious young gentleman. 'Well, never
mind that now. She is very lady-like, is she not?' 'Lady-like!' repeats
the censorious young gentleman (for he always repeats when he is at a
loss for anything to say). 'Did you observe her manner? Bless my heart
and soul, Mrs. Thompson, did you observe her manner?--that's all I ask.'
'I thought I had done so,' rejoins the poor lady, much perplexed; 'I did
not observe it very closely perhaps.' 'Oh, not very closely,' rejoins
the censorious young gentleman, triumphantly. 'Very good; then _I_ did.
Let us talk no more about her.' The censorious young gentleman purses up
his lips, and n