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The Little Wife, and The Baronet's Daughters
The Little Wife and The Baronet's Daughters Author:Elizabeth Caroline Grey Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER III. " Oh! she's a winsome wee thing, She's a handsome wee thing, Oh! she's a bonny wee thing, This sweet wee wife of mine!" "stanley," said Lord ... more »Ehnsdale, as they were walking over the domain, on the day previous to the Earl's departure, "I have never asked you whether you were not surprised to hear of my marriage, after having played the character of bachelor for so many years, and turning a deaf ear to all the wishes and solicitations of my family?" " I own, my lord, that I was taken by surprise, but greatly I rejoiced; for my feelings all incline towards a life of married happiness. In short, I cannot imagine felicity perfect without it." " Indeed, my good friend, you would deem me romantic; and that would be absurd at my age, verging towards the sober era of forty, if I allowed myself to dilate upon the theme, and describe to you all the charms and perfections of my little Countess; and I'm afraid, Stanley, with your sober sound sense, you may have thought it rather rash and ill-judged, to have chosen a partner, between whose age and my own there is such disparity. Seventeen, and seven-and-thirty—a startling difference you will say : and you would be still more shocked were you to see Lady Elmsdale, for she looks even younger than she really is; and her tastes and pursuits are many of them as simple and childish as her appearance. But still I'm rejoiced to say, there is more depth of character in her than any one would imagine. Sound sense, and strong principle, are points in her character which will develope themselves, as age and experience temper the vivacity of her present feelings. Giddy and baby-like as she appears, I am convinced that she possesses more real judgment, and sterling rectitude, than many a graver and more reflecting looking person....« less