"
"We should be delighted; _I_ should, certainly. And if you will look at
my friend's face just now, as he is talking to your beautiful
sister-in-law, you will see that he would not object."
"Do you think Lydia is _beautiful_?"
The tone was quiet, but the glance questioning.
"Not classically beautiful,--but one of the most lovely, engaging women
I ever met."
"Yes,--she is charming, truly. I don't think her strikingly handsome,
though; but tastes rarely agree, you know. I only asked to ascertain
your predilections."
"I understand," thought Greenleaf; but he made no further reply.
"Don't be surprised, if you see us before your stay is over,--that is,
if Lydia and I can induce Charles to go down with us. Henry is too
busy, I suppose."
Charles passed just then; he was endeavoring to form a cotillon,
declaring that talk was slow, and, now that the music was over, a dance
would be the thing.
"Charles, you will go to Nahant for a week,--won't you?"
"What! now?"
"In a day or two."
"Too cold, Sister Marcia; too late, altogether."
"But you were unwilling to go early in the season."
"Too early is as bad as too late; it is chilly there till the company
comes.
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