"But," she added, "Donald is so distant a relative of mine that, if that were the only objection, it need not, I think, stand in the way." "No, perhaps not.

A greater objection to me, so far as I am concerned, would be the fact that, if married to an army officer, my daughter would be kept at a distance from me nearly all the time." "And to me, as well as to you, that would be an almost insurmountable objection; for Lu and I are now the closest and dearest of friends--bosom companions.

I should hardly know what to do without her--the dear, sweet girl!" "Ah! it makes me very happy to hear and know that," he said with a glad smile, adding, "it is hardly news; for I have seen for a good while that you were very fond of each other." "Yes; we are like sisters.

I should miss Lu almost more than I shall Rosie, as we are together so much more constantly.

Oh, I don't like to think of it! and I sincerely hope it may be years before she learns to love any other man well enough to be willing to leave her sweet home under her father's roof." "A hope in which I join with all my heart," said her husband; "and one that I trust Donald is not going to ask me to resign." "If he does, just remind him of the exact terms of the answer you gave him at West Point," returned Violet in playful tones.