Page:Saxe Holm's Stories, Series Two.djvu/363

Rh indomitableness which came very near looking like obstinacy, and no doubt did often take on that shape. His figure was stout and ungraceful; and long years of solitary, hard work had given him the manners of a recluse, and not of a man of the world. Before Edward Balloure had seen Tom Lawton one hour in Susan Sweetser's presence, he knew that he loved her. Tom made no effort to join the circle of gay talkers of which she was the centre; he did not pay her one of the most ordinary attentions of society; but he watched her with a steady, contented gaze, which to Edward Balloure's sharpened instinct was unmistakable.

Professor Balloure had had occasion to know some of Tom Lawton's traits very thoroughly. They had encountered each other once, in some business matters where trusts were involved, and where the professor's interests and Tom's sense of honor had been at variance. The calm immovableness which Tom had opposed to every influence brought to bear on him; his entire superiority to all considerations save the one of absolute right; and his dogged indifference to any amount of antagonism and resentment, had altogether made up an aggregate of opposition such as the professor rarely encountered. He chose to call it Quixotic obstinacy; but in his heart he admired it, and respected Tom Lawton more than any man he knew.

"If he makes up his mind to marry Susan he 'll win her sooner or later," said the professor to