"
John Stone, the elder of the two, was a very tall, stout, squarely
built young man, with a broad, good-humored face, fair skin, blue
eyes and light hair. In temperament he was rather phlegmatic, quiet
and lazy. In character he was honest, prudent and good-tempered. In
circumstances he was a safe banker, with a notable wife and two
healthy children. The one thing that was able to excite his quiet
nerves was the chase, of which he was as fond as he could possibly
be of any amusement. The one person who agreeably stirred his rather
still spirits was our little Cap, and that was the secret of his
friendship for her.
Edwin Percy, the other, was a young West Indian, tall and delicately
formed, with a clear olive complexion, languishing dark hazel eyes
and dark, bright chestnut hair and beard. In temperament he was
ardent as his clime. In character, indolent, careless and self-
indulgent. In condition he was the bachelor heir of a sugar
plantation of a thousand acres. He loved not the chase, nor any
other amusement requiring exertion. He doted upon swansdown sofas
with springs, French plays, cigars and chocolate. He came to the
country to find repose, good air and an appetite. He was the victim
of constitutional ennui that yielded to nothing but the exhilaration
of Capitola's company; that was the mystery of his love for her, and
doubtless the young Creole would have proposed for Cap, had he not
thought it too much trouble to get married, and dreaded the bustle
of a bridal.
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