All in a garden fair; the simple story of three boys ... - University Library

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ALL LN A GARDEN FAIR.
the talk is of the money which has been lost
you work in a city where the talk is all of the
money which may be made. The atmosphere
everywhere is filled with the perfume of bank
notes, shares, bonds, and coupons. You breathe
this air—it is like a slow poison to some '—he
looked at Allen ' like the keen mountain air,
which sthnulates, to others '—he looked at Will
— ' and like their own native air to others '
he looked at Olinthus, who smiled and bowed
and felt that the highest compliment had been
paid to him. ' So, gentlemen, I have finished.
In three years Claire shall, if she then pleases,
bestow her hand upon one of you. I liope that
she will give it to the most worthy among you.
Gentlemen '—here he became vei^ grave—' if
during this period you live well—as young
En^^lishmen do sometimes live— this child will
remain to you, and become more and more
to you a goddess worthy of all worship and
reverence. If you live not well, she will be-
come quite a common woman, a wild flower,
of no use except to be plucked and thrown