He was paying court to the merchant's only daughter; and, if they were not already engaged, they expected soon to become so.
The situation of our young friend, therefore, became a most peculiar one.
He had been given an important preliminary advantage, if he chose to aspire to the love of the sweet one at his side; but he thought hard, and did not lose his self-poise or sense of honor.
"It is natural that she should despise his poltroonery and feel grateful to me," was his thought; "but, after all, it isn't likely she holds any emotion other than simple gratitude.

It would be base in me to presume upon it.

I will not do so." The drive was comparatively a short one to the handsome residence of the Warmores.

As Tom guided the mettlesome pony through the open gate and up the winding roadway to the front of the porch, Mrs.Warmore came out pale with fright.

She had just learned of the accident from G.Field Catherwood, who had limped up the steps with a rambling tale of how he had been flung headlong from the vehicle at the moment he was about to seize Jennie and lift her free.
"Thank Heaven!" exclaimed the mother, when she saw her daughter unharmed; "I was sure you were killed." Catherwood hobbled forward from behind the lady, leaning on his cane.
"I say 'amen' to those sentiments," he added, too much flustered just then to use his affected style of speech.