She is a dear girl , and I 'm proud and fond of her . Where is she tonight ? ' ` Pegging away at her Greek , I suppose . She usually is in the evening . More 's the pity , ' added Demi , in a low tone , as he stared intently at the book-case , though he could n't read a title . ` Now , there is a girl after my own heart . Pretty , well-bred , well-educated , and yet domestic , a real companion as well as help-meet for some good and intelligent man . I hope she will find one . ' ` So do I , ' muttered Demi . Mrs Meg had taken up her work again , and was surveying a half-finished buttonhole with so much interest that her son 's face escaped her eye . He shed a beaming smile upon the rows of poets , as if even in their glass prison they could sympathize and rejoice with him at the first rosy dawn of the great passion which they knew so well . But Demi was a wise youth , and never leaped before looking carefully . He hardly knew his own heart yet , and was contented to wait till the sentiment , the fluttering of those folded wings he began to feel , should escape from the chrysalis and be ready to soar away in the sunshine to seek and claim its lovely mate . He had said nothing ; but the brown eyes were eloquent , and there was an unconscious underplot to all the little plays he and Alice Heath acted so well together . She was busy with her books , bound to graduate with high honours , and he was trying to do the same in that larger college open to all , and where each man has his own prize to win or lose . Demi had nothing but himself to offer and , being a modest youth , considered that a poor gift till he had proved his power to earn his living , and the right to take a woman 's happiness into his keeping . No one guessed that he had caught the fever except sharp-eyed Josie , and she , having a wholesome fear of her brother -- who could be rather awful when she went too far -- wisely contented herself with watching him like a little cat , ready to pounce on the first visible sign of weakness . Demi had taken to playing pensively upon his flute after he was in his room for the night , making this melodious friend his confidante , and breathing into it all the tender hopes and fears that filled his heart . Mrs Meg , absorbed in domestic affairs , and Daisy , who cared for no music but Nat 's violin , paid no heed to these chamber concerts , but Josie always murmured to herself , with a naughty chuckle , ` Dick Swiveller is thinking of his Sophy Wackles , ' and bided her time to revenge certain wrongs inflicted upon her by Demi , who always took Daisy 's side when she tried to curb the spirits of her unruly little sister . This evening she got her chance , and made the most of it .
Mrs Meg was just rounding off her buttonhole , and XXXXX still strolling restlessly about the room , when a book was heard to slam in the study , followed by an audible yawn and the appearance of the student looking as if sleep and a desire for mischief were struggling which should be master . '
Demi Greek Nat Swiveller chrysalis escape evening first honours underplot