"I love her!" continued Marston; "and, as well as she could a
father, she loves me, making time pass pleasantly with her
cheerfulness." She was the child of his affections; and as he spoke
his face glowed with animation. Scarce seventeen summers had bloomed
upon his fair niece, who, though well developed in form, was of a
delicate constitution, and had inherited that sensitiveness so
peculiar to the child of the South, especially she who has been
cradled in the nursery of ease and refinement. As she spoke, smiled,
and raised her jewelled fingers, the grace accompanying the words
was expressive of love and tenderness. Turning to the gentleman who
accompanied her, "My friend!" she added, simply, with a frolicsome
laugh. A dozen anxious black faces were now watching in the hall,
ready to scamper round her ere she made her appearance to say, "How
de'h!" to young Missus, and get a glimpse at her stranger friend.
After receiving a happy salute from the old servants, she re-enters
the room. "Uncle's always drinking wine when I come;-but Uncle
forgets me; he has not so much as once asked me to join him!" She
lays her hand on his arm playfully, smiles cunningly, points
reproachfully at the Elder, and takes a seat at her uncle's side.
The wine has seized the Elder's mind; he stares at her through his
spectacles, and holds his glass with his left hand.
"Come, Dandy," said Marston, addressing himself to the mulatto
attendant, "bring a glass; she shall join us.
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