Theodore Winthrop

“ But presently, as she looked at Kerr, growing redder with too much dinner and too much wine, laughing at his own coarse jokes and throwing at her with great vulgar compliments; and when all at once, in contrast, rose the figure of the other Major as she had painted him, — disgust so mastered her that she sprang up, pleaded a headache, and fled to her chamber, to wait and hope and doubt and pray alone. ”

“ They were always, as Voltaire had said, ready to get away for a frolic. Lucy smiled to herself at the easy success of her stratagem. She had packed off baggage and baggage, without suspicion.
“What a conspirator I am becoming!” she thought. “Ah! silly Lucy, the child, the thing to be flung away! She too can help baffle the evil schemes against herself. When these coarse women are gone, there will be not a soul but friends within a mile of the house.”
Dinner was tardy to-day, after the late breakfast following the revel.
Nine-oxygen azote by the lung-full had given tone to Major Kerr’s system. ”

“ If she is ever photographed, it shall be in her bright, not in her dark day. Let her wait till fuller maturity for description! It is easy to see the Brothertoft in her. She blends the tender grace of the lady in Vandyck’s picture with the quiet dignity of the gentleman. But is there not kindling in her face the vigor of another race, her mother’s? Perhaps a portrait now would belie her final look.
“You are like an angel, Miss Lucy,” said Mrs. ”