But, as I've said, I won't ask again till I can do so with propriety." Leland, too, admired Violet extremely, and loved her with brotherly affection; but it was Elsie who had won his heart.
But he had never whispered a word of this to her, or to any human creature, for he was both poor and proud, and had firmly resolved not to seek her hand until his art should bring him fame and fortune to lay at her feet.
Similar considerations alone held Malcom Lilburn back, and each was tortured with the fear that the other would prove a successful rival.
Philip Ross, too, was waiting to grow rich, but feared no rival in the meantime; so satisfied was he that no one could be so attractive to Elsie as himself.
"She's waiting for me," he said to his mother, "and she will wait.

She's just friendly and kind to those other fellows, but it's plain she doesn't care a pin for any of them." "I'm not so sure of that, Phil," returned Mrs.Ross; "some one may cut you out.

Have you spoken to her yet?
Is there a regular engagement between you ?" "Oh, no! but we understand each other; always have since we were mere babies." Mrs.Ross and her daughters had accompanied Philip to the shore, and it pleased Lucy greatly that they had been able to obtain rooms in the same house with their old friends, the Travillas.
Mr.Hogg was of the party also, and Elsie and Violet had now an opportunity to judge of the happiness of Gertrude's married life.
They were not greatly impressed with it; husband and wife seemed to have few interests in common, and to be rather bored with each other's society.
Mr.Hogg had a fine equipage, and drove out a great deal, sometimes with his wife, sometimes without; both dressed handsomely and spent money lavishly; but he did not look happy, and Gertrude, when off her guard, wore a discontented, care-worn expression.
Mrs.Ross was full of cares and anxieties, and one day she unburdened her heart to her childhood's friend.
They were sitting alone together on the veranda upon which Mrs.Travilla's room opened, waiting for the summons to the tea-table.
"I have no peace of my life, Elsie," Lucy said fretfully; "one can't help sympathizing with one's children, and my girls don't seem happy like yours.
"Kate's lively and pleasant enough in company, but at home she's dull and spiritless; and though Gertrude has made what is considered an excellent match, she doesn't seem to enjoy life; she's easily fretted, and wants change and excitement all the time." "Perhaps matters may improve with her," Elsie said, longing to comfort Lucy.

"Some couples have to learn to accommodate themselves to each other." "Well, I hope it may be so," Lucy responded, sighing as though the hope were faint indeed.
"And Kate may grow happier, too; dear Lucy, if you could only lead her to Christ, I am sure she would," Elsie went on low and tenderly.
Mrs.Ross shook her head, tears trembling in her eyes.
"How can I?
I have not found him myself yet.

Ah, Elsie, I wish I'd begun as you did.