What the World Made Them (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1871. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER X. THE STORY OF AN AMBITIOUS GIKX. T1TARION FORD, I sometimes wonder if-LTJ. you have common sense." "I don't know, ma'am, I am sure.' "Here is an offer of which any girl might be proud, and you say no without pausing to consider one of the advantages. You should remember how you are situated, my dear, for although I am glad always to have you with me, when I die I shall leave nothing more than Harold will spend." "I don't know why a girl should feel proud," said Marion perversely, with a shudder of aversion. "I am very much obliged to Mr. Maudeville for liking me, but he is so old, and I know his hair would be white if he did not dye it a purple black." "He is not young certainly, still he is very well preserved; besides being a gentleman of high position and fortune." "Fortune, of course," said Marion somewhat bitterly. "That is the first consideration." "I don't know why yon need to despise wealth," returned Aunt Maud, holding a turquoise earring up beside her niece's face to try the becoming effect. "It would be of great use to you, and only think how much you might do for Alfred." "Poor Alfred " sighed Marion, a shade of distress flitting across her face. "Well, well don't fret about it, child, Mr. Maudeville has given you a week to decide in." Both ladies were beautifully dressed, the elder in moire antique, and the younger in soft, fleecy white, as airy and light as the clouds that curl about mountain peaks. This toilette, in exquisite taste, was a gift from Aunt Maud, who urged her niece to go out with her on this occasion, more than a year having elapsed since Mr. Ford's death, and that lady took great pride in Marion's appearance. A whole long year had passed, with Marion moping disconsolately in Aunt Maud's house, discontented with h...