He was the kindest young gentleman that ever lived .-- She would tell Miss March so; as, indeed, she had done many a time.
"'Miss,' said I to her the very first day I set eyes on you, when I had told her how you came hunting for lodgings--( she often has a chat with me quite freely, being so lonesome-like, and knowing I to be too proud to forget that she's a born lady)--'Miss,' said I, 'who Mr.Halifax may be I don't know, but depend upon it he's a real gentleman.'" I was the sole amused auditor of this speech, for John had vanished.

In a few minutes more he had brought the mare round, and after a word or two with me was clattering down the road.
I wondered whether this time any white-furred wrist stirred the blind to watch him.
John was away a wonderfully short time, and the doctor rode back with him.

They parted at the gate, and he came into our parlour, his cheeks all glowing with the ride.

He only remarked, "that the autumn nights were getting chill," and sat down.

The kitchen clock struck one.
"You ought to have been in bed hours ago, Phineas.