was-as

Updated: May 31, 2025

Addressing Lord Orville with great respect, he said, "I beg pardon, my Lord,-if I was-as I fear might be the case-rather too severe in my censure of the lady who is honoured with your protection-but, my Lord, ill-breeding is apt to provoke a man." "Ill-breeding!" cried my unknown champion, "impossible! that elegant face can never be so vile a mask!"

Fanny Burney - Evelina, Or, the History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the World