I mean, except you. I like you best of all."
The child fingered over the leaves, and began again:
"‘Lord Mortimer received the lovely trembler in his arms. He softly called her his Amanda, the beloved of his soul, and she began to revive.’"
"Isn't that a queer book for a little girl?" asked the listener.
"My mamma said it was a little girls' book. It's 'The Children,' you know, 'of the Abbey.'
"‘Lord Mortimer trembled universally, and was obliged to have recourse to his handkerchief.’"
A sleepy laugh came from Mr. Stanton's chair. Sad thoughts and the falling snow and Annabel's droning voice were soothing him to rest. Annabel turned back to the first part of the book:
"‘Lord Mortimer was now in the glowing prime of life: his person was strikingly elegant, and his manners insinuatingly pleasing; seducing sweetness dwelt in
