Her ideal had been such a very superior creature--quite unlike
good-natured, handsome, but, to Mary's eyes, who judged by the
Mapleton standard, somewhat common-place Tom Cowell.
He had seemed to her, too, to have an unpleasantly good opinion of his
own people and his home, which was Limeton--as every one knows, much
behind Mapleton in culture and refinement, although it could boast of
its greater wealth; but wealth in such a sooty atmosphere lost all
attraction for Mary. Yet he quoted Limeton, and, what the Limetonians
did, thought, and intended to do, and the effect of their intentions
on the coming election for President, which was exasperating to Mary,
who, like all loyal Mapletonians, was quite sure their own city was
the brain of the State, even if Limeton did represent its wealth; so
that what the former said and thought was of far more importance to
the country, and she would smile at the purse-proud ignorance of
Limeton.
Even when she saw Tom's honest admiration for herself, and found
that she enjoyed his visits and attentions, she believed it was only
the magnetism of his good humour, and breezy, healthy nature that
pleased her; she was sure it was nothing more.
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