He had in a measure decided that when
he married it should be to a girl whom he had played with in
childhood and whom he knew a good deal about, and not to a chance
acquaintance of the world at large. So, beneath all his
diversified gallantries he had maintained a quiet little policy of
observation, until his thoughts had gradually gathered around two
of his young associates who, unconsciously to themselves, as we
have said, put in stronger and stronger claims every time he saw
them. They asserted these claims in the only way in which he would
have recognized them--by being more charming, agreeable, and, as
he fancied, by being better than the others. He had not made them
aware, even by manner, of the distinction accorded to them; and as
yet he was merely a friend.
But the time had come, he believed, for definite action. While he
weighed and considered, some prompter fellows might take the case
out of his hands entirely; therefore he welcomed this vacation and
the opportunities it afforded.
The festivities began with what is termed in the country a "large
party"; and Carrie Mitchell and Lottie Waldo were both there,
resplendent in new gowns made for the occasion.
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