After the new household had got fairly settled, Dr. Drayton proposed to Rachel that she should continue her German and French under his direction. He spoke both languages as fluently as he did English, and suggested that the lessons should consist entirely of conversation, and reading aloud from some of the best French and German authors. Rachel was very much pleased at his proposition, and asked if Marion might not join with them.
"Yes, if she likes," replied Dr. Drayton, in answer to her request; "but I'm afraid her head will be too full of balls and parties, for her to ever keep up a regular course of studies."
"Why, Uncle Robert!" indignantly cried Rachel; "you don't know Marion at all, or you would not say that!"
"I don't pretend to," quietly replied the doctor; "but I suppose she is very much like all other young ladies."
"Indeed she is not," replied Rachel, energetically. "I don't know of a girl that has as much strength of character as Marion."
"Not even excepting Miss Florence?"
"No, not even excepting her. I love Florence dearly; she is a lovely girl, but there is something about Marion which she has not got."
"I should say so, decidedly," replied Dr. Drayton, with provoking coolness.
"Why, Uncle Robert, I never dreamed you didn't like Marion!"
"Did I say I did not?" asked her uncle, as he unfolded the newspaper, and glanced down its columns.