Dr. Sandford, Miss Cardigan, my dear
Captain Drummond, were all much in advance of my own age; my
servants were my servants, at Magnolia; and Preston had never
associated with me on just the footing of equality. I went up
stairs thinking that I should like to see a great deal more of
Mr. Thorold.
Mrs. Sandford was on the piazza when I came down, and alone;
everybody was gone to parade. She gave me a little billet.
"Well, Daisy! — are you walked to death, my dear? Certainly,
West Point agrees with you! What a colour! And what a change!
You are not the same creature that we brought away from New
York. Well, was it worth going for, all the way to see that
old ruin? My dear! I wish your father and mother could see
you."
I stood still, wishing they could.
"There is more pleasure for you," — Mrs. Sandford went on.
"What is this, ma'am?"
"An invitation. The cadets have little parties for dancing, it
seems, three times a week, in summer; poor fellows! it is all
the recreation they get, I suspect; and, of course, they want
all the ladies that can be drummed up, to help them dance.
Pages:
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
486
487
488