That he did not read it all was due to his correspondent's choice of subjects and great plainness of speech; but he read what the Major had to say of Fontenoy, of the winter weather and the ailing slaves, of Mustapha, of county deaths and marriages, of the books he had been reading, and the men to whom he wrote.

Major Edward's strain was ironic, fine, and very humanly lonely.

Jacqueline's eyes filled with tears, and all the flames of the fire ran together like shaken jewels.
"Almost all the rest," said Cary, "has to do with politics.

I will not read you what he has to say of us slight, younger men and the puny times in which we live.

But this will interest you--this is of general import." He turned the page and read: "I have to-day a letter from G.Morris with the latest mischief from the North.