If you will permit me, I will smoke my cigar.

Will you come, Laura ?" I suppose it was natural; she was a beautiful woman, full of talent and animation, brilliant and fascinating, only too anxious to please him in every way, laying herself out to captivate him, and he never could endure being alone.
Ah, me! what my childish heart suffered--of rage, and terror, and pain--when I saw my mother's eyes turned wistfully to the door, waiting, watching for him and asking me, in the sweet, low tones, if I knew where he was.

I learned my lesson sharply enough.

The first time she asked me one bright, sunny morning, when she seemed a little better, and had a great desire to go out.
"I wish papa would go with me, Laura," she said.

"I never enjoy anything without him.