* * * * *
Mrs. Waugh had not forgotten her young _protege_. She came as often as
possible to Dell-Delight, to inquire after the health and progress of
the little girl.
It is not to be supposed, in any neighborhood where there existed
managing mammas and unmarried daughters, that a young gentleman,
handsome, accomplished, wealthy, and of good repute, should remain
unmolested in his bachelorhood. Indeed, the matrons and maidens of his
own circle seemed to think themselves individually aggrieved by the
young heir's mode of life. And many were the dinners and evening parties
got up for his sake, in vain, for to their infinite disgust, Thurston
always returned an excuse instead of an acceptance.
At length the wounded self-esteem of the community received a healing
salve, in the form of a report that Mr. Willcoxen had withdrawn from the
gay world, in order the better to prepare himself for the Christian
ministry. A report that, in twelve months, received its confirmation in
the well established fact that Thurston Willcoxen was a candidate for
holy orders.
And in the meantime the young guardian did not neglect his youthful
charge, but in strict interpretation of his assumed duties of
guardianship, he had taken the education of the girl and boy under his
own personal charge.
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