"I like America, and
think I shall settle here. And sir, I thank you most heartily for your
kind words. But, as I've said, I won't ask again till I can do so with
propriety."
Leland, too, admired Violet extremely, and loved her with brotherly
affection; but it was Elsie who had won his heart.
But he had never whispered a word of this to her, or to any human
creature, for he was both poor and proud, and had firmly resolved not to
seek her hand until his art should bring him fame and fortune to lay at
her feet.
Similar considerations alone held Malcom Lilburn back, and each was
tortured with the fear that the other would prove a successful rival.
Philip Ross, too, was waiting to grow rich, but feared no rival in the
meantime; so satisfied was he that no one could be so attractive to Elsie
as himself.
"She's waiting for me," he said to his mother, "and she will wait. She's
just friendly and kind to those other fellows, but it's plain she doesn't
care a pin for any of them."
"I'm not so sure of that, Phil," returned Mrs. Ross; "some one may cut you
out. Have you spoken to her yet? Is there a regular engagement between
you?"
"Oh, no! but we understand each other; always have since we were mere
babies.
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