He was devoted to music and flowers, extremely fond of horses, which he rode more than ordinarily well, and had a liking for good books.

He had, furthermore, returned from his travels filled with pride for his native land, and declaring that the United States was the only country in the world worth fighting and dying for.
Taking the morning's mail from the hand of a servant who had just brought it, Ridge entered his father's presence.
"Here are your letters, sir," he said, "but before you read them I should like a few moments' conversation with you." "Certainly, son.

What is it ?" As Ridge told what he had heard concerning Herman Dodley, the elder man's brows darkened; and, when the recital was finished, he said: "I fear all this is true, and have little doubt that Dodley is no better than he should be; but, unfortunately, I am so situated at present that I cannot forbid him the house.

I will warn Dulce and her friend against him; but just now I am not in a position to offend him." "Why, father!" cried Ridge, amazed to hear his usually fearless and self-assertive parent adopt this tone.

"I thought that you were--" "Independent of all men," interrupted the other, finishing the sentence.
"So I believed myself to be.