Never, he felt, had the outlook appeared so desirable.

He was in that particular dreaminess of mood when one is easily borne off on waves of sentiment or imagination; and it is possible that, if his mother had been able to refrain from improving perfection, he might have found himself sufficiently in love with Margaret for all practical purposes.

But Mrs.Culpeper, who had no need of dissimulation since she had always got things by showing that she wanted them entirely for the good of others, was incapable of leaving her son to work out his own future.

When he entered the house again he found her awaiting him at the foot of the staircase.
"I hope you had a pleasant evening, Stephen." "Yes, Mother, very pleasant." "Margaret is a dear girl, and so well brought up.

Her mother has a great deal for which to be thankful." "A great deal, I am sure." A sharp sense of irritation had dispelled the dreamy sentiment with which he had parted from Margaret.