There was, in our plan, nothing to hinder either of us from putting his best foot forward, as the saying is, and making himself as agreeable to the young lady as he could.  Indeed that was the quickest way to call forth the indication how her affections stood.  I don’t think Phil took any pains to appear in a better light than usual.  It was his habit to be always himself, sincere, gentle, considerate, and never thrusting forward.  He had acquired with his growth a playful humour with which to trim his conversation, but which never went to tiresome lengths.  This was all the more taking for his quiet manner, which held one where noise and effort failed.  But I exerted myself to be mighty gallant, and to show my admiration and wit in every opportune way.

I considered that Phil and I were evenly matched in the rivalry; for when a young fellow loves a girl, be she ever so divine, and though he feel in his heart that she is too good for him, yet he will believe it is in him to win her grace.  If he think his self-known attractions will not suffice, he will trust to some possible hidden merits, unperceived by himself and the world, but which will manifest themselves to her sight in a magical manner vouchsafed to lovers.  Or at worst, if he admit himself to be mean and unlikely, he will put reliance upon woman’s caprice, which, as we all know, often makes strange selections.  As for me, I took myself to be quite a conquering fellow.

In looks, ’twas my opinion that Philip and I were equally gifted.  Phil was of a graceful, slender figure; within an inch of six feet, I should say; with a longish face, narrowing from the forehead downward, very distinctly outlined, the nose a little curved, the mouth still as delicate as a boy’s.  Indeed he always retained something boyish in his look, for all his studiousness and thoughtfulness, and all that came later.  He was not as pale as in boyhood, the sea breezes that swept in from the bay, past the wharves, having given him some ruddiness.  His eyes, I have said, were blue, almost of a colour with Margaret’s.  I was an inch or two shorter than Phil, my build was more heavy and full, my face more of an equal width, my nose a little upturned so as to give me an impudent look, my eyes a darkish brown.

That I was not Phil’s match in sense, learning, talents, self-command, and modesty, did not occur to me as lessening my chances with a woman.  If I lacked real wit, I had pertness; and I thought I had a manner of dashing boldness, that must do one-half the business with any girl, while my converse trick of softening my voice and eyes to her on occasion, would do the other half.