The Good Time Coming

and was living, in some degree, the very life that seemed so unattractive to him, and receiving her measure of reward. While he wandered, with an unquiet spiri

ire forgetfulness of self. Home was therefore the centre of her thoughts and affections, but not the selfish

ho boasted of being ten-quite an advanced age, in his estimation-might almost be called a thorn in the flesh to Aunt Grace, whose nice sense of propriety and decorum he daily outraged by rudeness and want of order. George was boy all over, and a strongly-marked specimen of his class-"as like his father, when at his age, as one pea to another," Aunt Grace would say, as certain memories of childhood presented themselves with more than usual vividness. The boy was generally too much absorbed i

nt Grace, who rarely saw any thing in her niece that violated her strict sense of propriety. Since the removal of the family to Woodbine Lodge, the education of Fanny had been under the direction of a highly accomplished governess. In consequence, she was quite withdrawn from intercourse with young ladies of her own age. If, from this cau

the treasure they possessed, and their hearts grew faint at the thought of having it pass into other hands. But very few years would glide away ere wooers would come, and seek to charm her ears with songs sweeter than eve

ve not described each individual with minuteness, but sufficiently indicated to give them

e of mind. After various fruitless efforts to get interested in what was around him, and thus compel self-forgetful

l evening," he said, as

her daughter's family; and especially touching the husband's character for industry, intelligence, and trustworthiness. She had a purpose in this; for the earnest desire expressed by

l the children stood in the porch, to welcome the husband and father, whose absence, though even for the briefest pe

our father," said Mrs. Ma

-I wonder wh

e George,

hed the oval in front of the house, and swept around towards

Mr. Lyon, son of an old and valued business correspondent, residing in Liverpool. A cordial welcome awaited Mr. Lyon at Woodbine Lodge, as it awaited all wh

His mouth was the least pleasing feature of his face. The lips were full, but too firmly drawn back against his teeth. Eyes dark, large, and slightly prominent, with great depth, but

the retired merchant, in his country home. Mr. Lyon was liberally educated, bad travelled a good deal, and been a close observer and thinker. He was, moreover, well read in human nature. That he charmed the little circle at Woodbine Lodge on the first evening of his visit there, is scarcely a matter of wonder. Nor was he less charme

ep as the sea. And he has a way of turning his eyes without turning his head that don't please me exactly. Edward is wond

ok her head ominou

ty's only skin-deep, and he may

e mind of his host hungering for new aliment, and as his own mind was full stored with thought and purpose, he had but to speak to awaken interest. Among other things, he gave Mr. Markland, a minute detail of certain plans for acq

there was presented to his mind a vivid contrast of his fruitless inactivity with the vigorous productive indus

ll interest in busin

ll

vidence of surprise

as going to say," replied M

r found in repose, but in activity. To me a palace would be a prison, if I could find n

ond my present possession I do not desire. I have more than enough

ldren?" remar

e ample p

s anothe

ha

y is

ru

ate himself into almost any position.

hrugged his sho

n?" inquired the oth

e question awa

n which they live! Some of these, to perpetuate a name, establish at death some showy charity, and thus build for themselves a monument not overshadowed by statelier mausoleums amid the rivalries of a fashionable cemetery. Pah! All this ranges far below my aspiring. I wish to make a name while livi

re possession,

its lavish

ng it for the attainment of m

r comes their consummation, and then all is restl

y spo

t, every latent power may be developed? Depend upon it, Mr. Markland, we may become what we will; and I, for one, mean to become something

radually, and very adroitly, seeming all the while as if he had not the slightest purpose to interest Mr. Markland in that particular direction, did Mr. Lyon create in his mind a strong confidence in the enlarged schemes for obtaining immense wealth in which

e always pleasant seasons in the family circle. Fanny's voice had been well cultivated, and she sung with fine taste; and as Mr. Lyon was also a lover of music, and played and sung exqui

introduced. Every day that he lingered there diminished the ardour of his ambition, or robbed of some charm the bright ideal he had wo

oughts, and entered but little into conversation. Fanny was absent-minded, a fact that did not escape the mother's observation. Aunt G

ozens of handsome young men, and contrast one with another, than hide her away here, until some attractive young Lucifer comes along-a very Son of the Morning! How can the g

n shone bright above, she thought of the clouds that were gather

deeply interested in all that concerned him to fail in noting every new aspect of thought or feeling. He had said nothing of awakened purpose, quickened into activity by long conferences with his guest, but she saw that such purposes were forming. Of their nature she was in entire ignorance. That they would still further estrange him from Woodbine Lodge, she had too good reason, in a knowledge of his ch