The cheek recovered its blooming colour, and amended health soon showed itself in the amended spirits. But Marion, from the rosy child, was now grown up into the lovely young woman, and there was one in particular who thought her so. Young Meredith had his way to make in the world, but his steadiness and activity had made him a favourite with the merchant in whose counting-house he was a clerk, and, in a couple more years, he confidently calculated on being able to support a wife. Adam Leslie had not much to give during his life, but at his death Marion would inherit his little property. In this they were as happy as youth and hope could make.
Expectation is in itself a very pretty sort of reality.