A great snowstorm began the day of his return, and blocked us indoors for several days, and we had permanent sleighing afterward.
In January it was proposed that we should go to the Swan Tavern, ten miles out of Rosville.
I had made good resolutions since the ball, and declined going to the second, which came off three weeks afterward.

The truth was, I did not enjoy the first; but I preferred to give my decision a virtuous tinge.
I also determined to leave the Academy when the spring came, for I felt no longer a schoolgirl.

But for Helen, I could not have remained as I did.

She stayed for pastime now, she confessed, it was so dull at home; her father was wrapped in his studies, and she had a stepmother.
I resolved again that I would study more, and was translating, in view of this resolve, "Corinne," with Miss Prior, and singing sedulously with Mrs.Lane, and had begun a course of reading with Dr.Price.
I refused two invitations to join the sleighing party, and on the night it was to be had prepared to pass the evening in my own room with Oswald and Corinne.

Before the fire, with lighted candles, I heard a ringing of bells in the yard and a stamping of feet on the piazza.