"If mother had not so decided, I should shrink from being an inmate of Mrs.Washington's family.

I like her very much, but 'Lina--I am afraid I shall not get on with her:" "I know you won't.

I honor your judgment," was Hugh's mental comment, while Alice went on: "And what she told me of her brother was not calculated to impress me favorably." Nervously Hugh's hands grasped each other, and he could distinctly hear the beating of his heart as he leaned forward so as not to lose a single word.
"She seemed trying to prepare me for him by telling how rough he was; how little he cared for etiquette; and how constantly he mortified her with his uncouth manners." Alice did not hear the sigh of pain or see the mournful look which stole over Hugh's face.

She did not even suspect his presence, and she went on to speak of Spring Bank, wondering if Hugh would be there before his mother returned, half hoping he would not, as she rather dreaded meeting him, although she meant to like him if she could.
Alice's long, bright hair, was arranged at last, and the soft curls fell about her face, giving to it the same look it had worn in childhood--the look which was graven on Hugh's heart, as with a pencil of fire; the look he never had forgotten through all the years which had come and gone since first it shone on him; the look he had never hoped to see again, so sure was he that it had long been quenched by the waters of Lake Erie.

Alice's face was turned fully toward him.