Clarence Delwood belonged to one of the most aristocratic families in
Boston. He was an only son, upon whom had been bestowed all of those
advantages which are to be derived from a princely fortune. At the early
age of twenty-two he had graduated at one of the first institutions in
Paris, where he had been placed by his haughty, overbearing father, who
looked upon things American as low and vulgar. The son had not inherited
that proud, unyielding spirit of his father, yet he was like him,
inasmuch as he possessed the same dignified, reserved manner, the which,
having called forth the startling declaration from manoeuvering mothers,
and languishing daughters, that "Mr. Clarence Delwood would look farther
than Boston for a bride." So they had folded their gossamer wings with
resignation, receiving his polite attentions with pleasure, yet never
being able to penetrate the reserve which hung around him. To say that
our hero was handsome, would be saying but little, for one often meets
with such; but with the almost feminine pensiveness which characterized
his manly features, we meet seldom. Tall and commanding in his
appearance, his dark, glossy hair, and finely curved mustache, gave a
fine effect to his noble countenance, the peculiar light of his eye
speaking volumes.
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