From Aurora Leigh:
'- That is said
Austerely, like a youthful prophetess,
Who knits her brows across her pretty eyes
To keep them back from following the grey flight
Of doves between the temple-columns. Dear,
Be kinder with me. Let us two be friends.
I'm a mere woman–the more weak perhaps
Through being so proud; you're better; as for him,
He's best. Indeed he builds his goodness up
So high, it topples down to the other side,
And makes a sort of badness; there's the worst
I have to say against your cousin's best!
And so be mild, Aurora, with my worst,
For his sake, if not mine.'
' - I own myself
Incredulous of confidence like this
Availing him or you.'
What is the meaning of the sentence in bold?
"I own" = "I admit"? "To avail" = "To assist"?
"I admit that I am incredulous of confidence like this being of assistance to him or you"? I still can't understand the meaning.
What is this "confidence" that assists her or him?