Playing with Fire: A Story of the Soudan War

by James Grant

'Oh, Annot—so young and so mercenary!' exclaimed Hester.

'Not mercenary, only practical, cousin. Another dear fellow did so love me last winter, Hester!' said the girl, with a dreamy smile.

'And now?'

'We are less than nothing to each other, Hester—after all—after all.'

'How—why?'

'He was a second son—Mamma's bête noire; besides, a married lady took him off my hands.'

'A married lady?' exclaimed Hester.

'Yes—oh, my simple cousin! The mischief done in London nowadays by married flirts would amaze you, Hester; but good-night, I am so sleepy, dear.'

And kissing the latter with great empressement on each cheek, Annot departed to repose with one of her silvery laughs, leaving the impression that if 'she was passing fair' she was also passing heartless.