Owing to the strength of his affections for the deceased, or for his daughter, or because he could not please himself in a second marriage as well as it had been his good fortune to do in the first, Dr.Etherington had never spoken of forming another connection.

He appeared content to discharge his duties, as a Christian and a gentleman, without increasing them by creating any new relations with society.
Anna Etherington was of course my constant companion during many long and delightful visits at the rectory.

Three years my junior, the friendship on my part had commenced by a hundred acts of boyish kindness.

Between the ages of seven and twelve, I dragged her about in a garden-chair, pushed her on the swing, and wiped her eyes and uttered words of friendly consolation when any transient cloud obscured the sunny brightness of her childhood.

From twelve to fourteen, I told her stories; astonished her with narratives of my own exploits at Eton, and caused her serene blue eyes to open in admiration at the marvels of London.