Hope Mills; Or, Between Friend and Sweetheart

There is Fred again with his arm around Jack Darcy's neck. I declare, they are worse than two romantic schoolgirls. I am so thankful Fred goes away to-morrow for a year! and I do hope by that time he will have outgrown that wretched, commonplace youth. Mother, it is very fortunate that Jack is the sole scion of the Darcy line; for, if there were a daughter, you would no doubt be called upon to receive her into the bosom of the family. Which I never should do, remarked quiet, aristocratic Mrs. Lawrence, not even raising her eyes from her book. Not for the sake of your only son? continued Agatha, with an irritating laugh. Don't be silly, Agatha, returned the mother, with an indifference that took off the point of the query.