"Well, I would not seek to control your dreams, sis; but I fancy they'll occur less and less often, and by and by cease altogether."
"You think I never loved Jack," said Winnie.
"I think you had a girlish fancy for him. As to woman's holy, unchanging love, you have never yet experienced it, my little sister."
"When shall I, then? I'm sixteen, and a preceptress."
"Yes."
"But don't you think Jack loved me, Wayland?"
"I think he had a boy's fancy for you, which may deepen into love with time, or may be wholly dissipated from his bosom."
"But why did you object to him so strongly? You well-nigh broke my heart at one time. It was not like you to hate the son for the parent's crimes."
"No, it was not for the father's errors that I bade you shun the son; but because I discovered in him a frivolous, faulty character, that had no strength of purpose, or fixed principles of action; and I dreaded the influence such a person might exert over your youthful, pliant mind."
"Now, what if he should return some of these years, and lay his life, love and fortune at my feet?" suggested Winnie, archly.