'Alas! if he and Clara were but here!' sighed Louis. 'I entreated
him in terms that might have moved a pyramid from its base, but the
Frost was arctic. An iceberg will move, but he is past all melting!'

'I respect his steadiness of purpose,' said the Earl; 'I know no
young man whom I honour more than James.'

His aunt and his son were looking towards each other with glistening
eyes of triumph and congratulation, and Mrs. Frost cleared her voice
to say that he was making far too much of her Jemmy; a very good boy,
to be sure, but if he said so much of him, the Marys would be
disappointed to see nothing but a little fiery Welshman.




CHAPTER IV.



THISTLE-DOWN.



Lightly soars the thistle-down,
Lightly does it float--,
Lightly seeds of care are sown,
Little do we note.
Watch life's thistles bud and blow,