John Seely Hart

“ Trust in me, darling, and do not fear for the future. I have wealth enough for all—more than enough, thank God; and this house, Gertrude, everything herein shall remain untouched. So do not look so wildly, my own, you shall know no change; and your father shall not miss the luxuries to which he has always been accustomed.”
“My father! change! misfortunes! you cannot mean, Julien, that he, that my father is a bankrupt!” ”

“ She saw the crimson glow which spread over the marble features of her companion.
“Then you too know of her unfortunate attachment—poor Ellen! I have tried in vain to feel more than a brother’s attachment to her; the memory of my youthful love, Gertrude, is too strong to bear to be replaced, even in imagination,” said Howard, as he bent his dark eyes searchingly upon hers. ”

“ The light from the massive chandeliers flashed back from polished mirrors and costly frames of rare paintings, and from the gilded cornices of the rich curtains woven in foreign looms which shrouded the lofty windows, and fell in heavy folds to the tufted carpeting, where stainless lilies and glowing roses were blooming side by side in loving rivalry. ”

“ Leslie; and Ellen advancing stood beside them. Her cheeks were pale and transparent; and the large, brilliant eyes were sunken, yet there were many traces of exceeding beauty.
“You must neither of you curse me, for I have suffered enough,” she said.
“Why should we curse you, dear Ellen?” said Howard, tenderly—“my poor cousin is not well, Gertrude—she was the most faithful of nurses to me when I was so ill that my life was despaired of, and she has never been well since—we are travelling now with her—her mother and myself, in hopes of restoring her health—poor Ellen!” ”