They were mistaken, for he remained single, his widowed mother supplying to his daughters the place of their lost parent.
In one thing was Mr.Dayton rather peculiar.

Owing to the death of his wife, he had always been in the habit of dictating to his daughters in various small matters, such as dress, and so forth, about which fathers seldom trouble themselves.

And even now he seemed to forget that they were children no longer, and often interfered in their plans in a way exceedingly annoying to Lucy, the eldest of the girls, who was now twenty-two and was as proud, selfish, and self-willed as she was handsome and accomplished.

Old maids she held in great abhorrence, and her great object in life was to secure a wealthy and distinguished husband.

Hitherto she had been unsuccessful, for the right one had not yet appeared.