Marion Harland

At Last Marion Harland

Book Excerptof sudden and real pleasure that rarely outlives early girlhood, when the first respondent to the breakfast-bell proved to be her Frederic's god-son."You are always punctual! I wish you would teach the good habit to some other people," she said, after answering his cordial "good-morning.""None of us deserve to be praised on that score, to-day," rejoined he, looking at his watch. "I did not awake until the dressing-bell rang. Our riding-party was out late last night. The extreme beauty of the evening beguiled us into going further than we intended, when we set out.""Yes! you young folks are falling into shockingly irregular habits--take unprecedented liberties with me and with Time!" shaking her head. "If Winston do not return soon, you will set my mild rule entirely at defiance."Chilton laughed--but was serious the next instant."I expected confidently to meet him at this visit," he said, glancing at the door to guard against being overheard. "Should he not return to-da