Watch and ward

Roger Lawrence had come to town for the express purpose of doing a certain act, but as the hour for action approached he felt his ardor rapidly ebbing. Of the ardor that comes f...

The child gazed a few moments in silence. “He told me when he woke me up and kissed me, last night, that I had not a friend in the world nor a person that cared for me.”

He had debated some time as to whether he should write to Hubert and as to how he should write. Hubert Lawrence was some four years his junior; but Roger had always allowed him...

On Christmas eve they sat together alone by a blazing log-fire in Roger’s little library. He had been reading aloud a chapter of his diary, to which Nora sat listening in dutifu...

Whether or no he was an honest man remained to be seen; but on the face of the matter he appeared no scamp. He was, in fact, a person difficult to classify. Roger had made up hi...

Roger could have choked himself. He had brought his case to this: Fenton a martyred proscript, and Nora a brooding victim of duty. “Do I want to turn the man out of the house?”...

Hubert colored the least bit, and then took up his hat and began to smooth it with his handkerchief. “Not at all. See how frank I can be. I recommend you to marry the young lady...

“I am glad to see you have found your wits again,” she said, “and that that forlorn little orphan—Dora, Flora, what’s her name?—has not altogether made a fool of you. You want t...

“‘I have not forgotten your asking me to write to you about your beloved Pincian view. Indeed, I have been daily reminded of it by having that same view continually before my ey...

“No, I have gained my crown, I propose to keep it. I would rather not be found out. Besides, I am not preaching now; I am resting. Some people think me a clergyman, Nora,” he sa...

Hubert hesitated a moment. She perceived a sudden watchful quiver in his eye, like a sword turned edge outward. She unsheathed one of her own steely beams, and for the tenth of...

When, soon after, he made his appearance in her drawing-room, she gave him many a hint as to how to play his cards. But he irritated her by his slowness; he was too circumspect...

She made her escape from the bustle and hurried along the street, praying to be unnoticed. She told herself sternly that now her difficulties had begun and must be bravely faced...

Roger wondered whether Fenton was making horrible sport of his trouble; he turned cold at the thought of maternal care of his providing. But he admonished himself to lose nothin...

At this, George pushed back his chair. “Where—where? Don’t you believe me? Do you want to go and ask him if it’s true? What is the matter with you, anyway? What are you up to? H...