If he daily saw in his first-born traits of character
which he openly condemned and censured, there stood in bold relief
upon his heart the pure, high and noble character of his delicate
Marguerite. Nor was he to be disappointed in the younger scions of
the family. Fred. Verne was a noble, manly boy of fifteen, and gave
promise of being a good and upright citizen; while the precocious
Charlie, despite the daily amount of spoiling received in the
domestic circle, was a clever little fellow, as ready with an answer
as he was ready for his daily supply of chocolate caramels.
Mr. Verne had married when very young, and was still in the prime of
manhood. He was not handsome; but an intelligent, open countenance
was the most pleasing attraction in his face. One could look upon
him the second time without a feeling of dislike or even
indifference.
But there is another important personage of whom we must make
mention--the mistress of the Verne mansion. She is, to say it in as
few words as possible, an out-and-out woman of the world--one who
never says or does anything without considering what will be the
world's opinion of her, and one who never says or does anything
unless there be some selfish motive at the bottom of it; one who
lives only for the gratification of her own selfish ends, so far as
her friends and family are concerned, and whose chief delight is
show, display and social greatness.
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