My wife was fairly
captivated by her at length. The untameable young creature was docile and
gentle in Laura's presence; modest, natural, amiable, full of laughter
and spirits, delightful to see and to hear; her presence cheered our
quiet little household; her charm fascinated my wife as it had subjugated
poor Clive. Even the reluctant Farintosh was compelled to own her power,
and confidentially told his male friends, that, hang it, she was so
handsome, and so clever, and so confoundedly pleasant and fascinating,
and that--that he had been on the point of popping the fatal question
ever so many times, by Jove. "And hang it, you know," his lordship would
say, "I don't want to marry until I have had my fling, you know." As for
Clive, Ethel treated him like a boy, like a big brother. She was jocular,
kind, pert, pleasant with him, ordered him on her errands, accepted his
bouquets and compliments, admired his drawings, liked to hear him
praised, and took his part in all companies; laughed at his sighs, and
frankly owned to Laura her liking for him and her pleasure in seeing him.
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