Isabel Ostrander

“ I wouldn't marry him, of course, if he was the last man on earth, just because of that. He's a queer sort of chap, I believe, always going off on long trips to the out-of-the-way corners of the earth by himself. He is in India, or South Africa, or somewhere, so he won't trouble me very soon! I wouldn't marry anybody now. All I want is to make up to Daddy as much as anyone can, for the loss of dear mother. It almost killed him when she left us, Lorna."
"I do not wonder!" Lorna's voice was very low and hushed. "She was a lovely, lovely woman, your mother, Maida." ”

“ I would have felt differently perhaps, if it had been Lorna.
"It was a great blow to us all." Aunt Julie shook her head sadly, and then with an intuition I wouldn't have given her credit for possessing, she added, briskly, "Well, we won't talk about sorrowful things on a lovely morning like this.
"The old days, back in Concho County, were good days after all."
"How you talk, mother!" remarked Bijou, disgustedly. "I don't remember much about it, and I don't want to! This is the life I like. I don't care to think of the time before. We're rich, now!" ”

“ It was quite probable that Monsieur Pelissier might be jealous of the other man.
"I can understand why Aunt Julie was worried," I laughed, "just at the last minute, too, when she almost had you safe on Sunset Island for the summer."
"Yes. I believe my friendship for Dickie is the cause of her sudden resolve to spend the whole season immured up here."
"And you're quite sure you don't really care just a little for this Mr. Ranger?"
"Indeed, no! If you'd ever been in love you wouldn't ask me that!" she laughed, then added, swiftly, "you haven't, have you, Maida?"
"Been in love? ”

“ To see life!"
"Do you care so much for society, then?" I asked.
"Society? No, I hate it, the society you mean." Bijou's eyes glittered. "But the theaters, and restaurants, and the races, and dressing better than anybody else, and going to Paris, and just living in motor cars! That's what I want."
"But you've had it ever since you were a little girl!" I said, in surprise. "The pretty things, I mean, and motors, and Paris!"
"Oh, of course!" She reddened sulkily and moved again in her chair with an impatient flounce. "But a child can't have much fun in Paris, in a convent. ”

“ He secured a tool from the engine room and I was forced to tolerate his close presence while he deftly secured the chain about my neck.
"You value your locket greatly?" he queried tentatively.
"Yes," I replied. He seemed disappointed at my curt answer and thanks, but I couldn't like him. However, he was especially attentive, and brought me cushions, a rug for my feet, smelling-salts, bon-bons and books, until, in self-defence, I beat a retreat with Alaric. ”