But the idea of Julia was doubly distasteful to him since that lovely vision of young female simplicity had shone upon him from the corner of Mrs.Bolton's drawing-room.
Romping with the Babington girls was all very well; but if he could only feel the tips of that girl's fingers come within the grasp of his hand! Then he thought that it would lend a fine romance to his life if he could resolve to come back, when he should be laden with gold, and make Hester Bolton his wife.

It should be his romance, and he swore that he would cling to it.
He turned back, and came down to dinner five minutes after the time.

At ten minutes before dinner-time Mr.Bolton heard that he was gone out and was offended,--thinking it quite possible that he would not return at all.

What might not be expected from a young man who could so easily abandon his inheritance! But he was there, only five minutes after the time, and the dinner was eaten almost in silence.

In the evening there was tea, and the coldest shivering attempt at conversation for half an hour, during which he could still at moments catch the glance of Hester's eyes, and see the moving curve of her lips.