They were well past their first youth , very grim and angular and serious ; and they could never have been on speaking terms with a mirror in their best days . But mark you , they were excellent females -- oh , very excellent . Times have changed with a vengeance , judging from the line-up of co-eds to-day . There was one girl there who ca n't be a day over eighteen -- and she looked as if she were made out of gold and roseleaves and dewdrops . '' `` The oracle speaks in poetry , '' laughed Eric . `` That was Florence Percival , who led the class in mathematics , as I 'm a living man . By many she is considered the beauty of her class . I ca n't say that such is my opinion . I do n't greatly care for that blonde , babyish style of loveliness -- I prefer Agnes Campion . Did you notice her -- the tall , dark girl with the ropes of hair and a sort of crimson , velvety bloom on her face , who took honours in philosophy ? '' `` I DID notice her , '' said David emphatically , darting a keen side glance at his friend . `` I noticed her most particularly and critically -- for someone whispered her name behind me and coupled it with the exceedingly interesting information that Miss Campion was supposed to be the future Mrs. Eric Marshall . Whereupon I stared at her with all my eyes . '' `` There is no truth in that report , '' said Eric in a tone of annoyance . `` Agnes and I are the best of friends and nothing more . I like and admire her more than any woman I know ; but if the future Mrs. Eric Marshall exists in the flesh I have n't met her yet . I have n't even started out to look for her -- and do n't intend to for some years to come . I have something else to think of , '' he concluded , in a tone of contempt , for which anyone might have known he would be punished sometime if Cupid were not deaf as well as blind . `` You 'll meet the lady of the future some day , '' said David dryly . `` And in spite of your scorn I venture to predict that if fate does n't bring her before long you 'll very soon start out to look for her .
A word XXXXX advice , oh , son of your mother .
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