"All the city is ready to fall down and worship this f.a.n.n.y Middleton, whom we have treated with such neglect," said Gertrude, and then she added what was of more consequence than all the rest, "Why, mother, she"s the most elegantly dressed lady in the room!"
In a moment Mrs. Cameron was descending the broad staircase. There was the sound of the piano and someone singing. Gertrude pressed forward until she caught sight of the singer, then pulling her mother"s sleeve, she whispered, "This way, mother; that is Miss Middleton playing."
Mrs. Cameron"s first emotion, on beholding f.a.n.n.y and the flattering attentions she everywhere received, was one of intense mortification, to think she had not been first to notice and chaperone her. "I will, however, make all possible amends now," thought she, and finding Frank she desired for herself and Gertrude an introduction to Miss Middleton; but Frank did not feel disposed to grant his mother"s request immediately, and he said, "Pardon me, mother, but you see Miss Middleton is very much engaged at present with some of her friends, so you must wait awhile."
Mrs. Cameron was too proud to ask any one else to introduce her, and it seemed that she and Gertrude were not likely to make f.a.n.n.y"s acquaintance at all. Toward the close of the party, however, Frank thought proper to introduce them. Mrs. Cameron determined to do her best, and she overwhelmed f.a.n.n.y with so much flattery, that the poor girl longed for some way of escape, thinking to herself, "Is it possible that Frank Cameron"s mother is such a silly woman?" Once Mrs. Cameron went so far as to hint the probability that Miss Middleton would one day be her daughter.
"What can she possibly mean?" thought f.a.n.n.y; at the same time gracefully excusing herself she ran upstairs after her shawl and veil, as Kate had signified her intention of returning home. But Mrs. Cameron was not to be thus foiled. She started in pursuit, and reaching the bonnet room as soon as f.a.n.n.y, insisted that she and Kate should stop with her during the remainder of her stay in the city. As Frank soon appeared and joined his entreaties with those of his mother, f.a.n.n.y said she would do just as Mrs.
Miller thought proper. Kate, who had expected a similar denouement, expressed her perfect willingness to visit at her uncle"s.
Accordingly, the next morning they left their rooms at the Astor House and repaired to Mrs. Cameron"s, where they were most affectionately received by Mrs. Cameron and Gertrude. And now commenced a series of toadyism which was vastly amusing to their acquaintances, many of whom had witnessed Mrs.
Cameron"s manner at the party and had since learned a part of the story.
It was strange how soon Mrs. Cameron and Gertrude discovered how many fine qualities f.a.n.n.y possessed. Even the "odious scarecrow of a father" was transformed into an "odd old gentleman," and in speaking of him to one of her acquaintances, Mrs. Cameron said "he was a very generous, wealthy, but eccentric old man, and was one of the first citizens in Frankfort." The good lady forgot that Uncle Joshua did not reside in Frankfort, but twelve miles from that city! Her word, however, was not questioned, for of course she would know all about the family of her son"s intended wife.
Meanwhile the report of Frank"s engagement was circulated freely, and the whole matter would undoubtedly have been arranged, marriage ceremony and all, had not Frank put an end to the matter by utterly denying the story.
Some young gentlemen were one morning congratulating him on his future prospects, and declaring their intention of going to Kentucky, if there were any more f.a.n.n.ys there, when Frank asked upon whose authority they were repeating a story for which there was no foundation.
"Why," answered one of them, "my sister heard it from your sister Gertrude."
"From Gertrude!" said Frank in amazement, "from Gertrude! Well, I cannot answer for what Gertrude says, but I a.s.sure you I am not engaged to Miss Middleton, and have never been."
This was in the morning, and that evening when Frank entered the sitting room where his mother and sister were, they beset him to know why he had denied his engagement with f.a.n.n.y.
"Because," said he, rather indignantly, "there is no engagement between us."
"Oh, Frank," said Gertrude, "you told us so."
"I never told you so," answered he, rather warmly. "I told you I had proposed, and I did propose, and was refused."
"But why didn"t you tell us?" continued Gertrude.
"Because you didn"t ask me," replied Frank. "You supposed, of course, none could refuse me, so jumped at conclusions and have got yourself into a fine spot."
There was no need of telling this, for Mrs. Cameron readily saw it and went off into a fit of hysterics, while Gertrude burst into tears.
"What a strange girl you are!" said Frank. "Once you cried because you thought I was engaged to f.a.n.n.y, and now you cry because I am not." So saying he gave a low mocking whistle and left his mother and sister to console themselves as best they could.
We will not weary the reader by repeating the conversation between Gertrude and her mother. We will only say that Mrs. Cameron decided to go as soon as possible to Saratoga, "and when once there," said she, "I will use all my influence with Miss Middleton; nay, if necessary, I will even beg her to marry Frank, for I know she likes him."
Gertrude was delighted with this idea. She had forgotten how determined she once was not to visit Saratoga with f.a.n.n.y Middleton. Next morning Mrs.
Cameron proposed to her guests that as the weather was getting warm, they should start directly for the Springs. The visitors of course could make no objections, and as Mr. and Mrs. Stanton, who were to accompany them, also acquiesced in the plan, two days more found our friends at Saratoga, together with crowds more of the fashionable from the north, south, east and west.
On the first day of their arrival, f.a.n.n.y noticed seated opposite her at the dinner table, a dark-eyed, sprightly looking girl, whose eyes so constantly met hers, that at last both blushed and the stranger girl half smiled. By her side sat a gentleman, whom f.a.n.n.y concluded was the young lady"s brother. Something in their appearance interested f.a.n.n.y, and she could not help thinking that they were from the South. That evening as she was walking alone upon the piazza, she was suddenly joined by the unknown lady, who accosted her with, "Pardon me, ma"am, but am I not speaking to Miss Middleton from Kentucky?"
f.a.n.n.y was too much surprised to answer immediately, but soon recovering her self-possession, she answered, "You are, but I have not the pleasure of knowing you."
"I presume not," said the lady. "We have never met before, and yet I knew you instantly."
"Knew me! How?" asked f.a.n.n.y.
"From description," replied the lady. "You have been so accurately described to me by our mutual friend Miss Woodburn, of New Orleans, that I could not mistake you."
"Florence Woodburn! New Orleans!" exclaimed f.a.n.n.y. "And are you from New Orleans, and do you know Florence, and have you seen Julia?"
To all these questions the stranger answered "Yes," continuing, "and now let me introduce myself. I am Lida Gibson, but I might as well be John Smith for any idea my name will convey. However, I am from New Orleans, and know Florence and your Uncle William well. Just before I left the city, I made your sister"s acquaintance. When she learned I was coming this way, she said I might possibly see you, and made me the bearer of many messages of love."
f.a.n.n.y had never heard of Lida Gibson, but it was sufficient that she knew her uncle and Julia, so her hand was immediately offered, and the remainder of the evening the two young girls promenaded the piazza arm in arm, talking of their distant homes and absent friends.
"Where did you see Julia?" asked f.a.n.n.y.
"Your uncle"s house was not quite ready, consequently he and Julia were spending a few days at the residence of Dr. Lacey," answered Lida.
"Dr. Lacey!" said f.a.n.n.y, in some surprise. "Julia at Dr. Lacey"s?"
"Yes, why not?" said Lida, laughing merrily at f.a.n.n.y"s manner. "There is nothing improper about that, for Dr. Lacey"s father was then absent, and his mother, for the time, stayed with her son. I fancied it was not at all unpleasant either to Dr. Lacey or Julia, that they were thus thrown together, and I should not wonder if the doctor should one day call you sister!"
Lida Gibson, whom our readers will recollect as having met at Mabel Mortimer"s party in New Orleans, was a thoughtless, but kind-hearted girl, and never felt happier than when employed in canva.s.sing matches. On the morning when the Cameron party arrived at the Springs, she had sent her brother to learn the names of the newcomers. On his return he mentioned f.a.n.n.y Middleton as being one of the new arrivals, so "twas not surprising that Lida should so readily recognize her.
As days pa.s.sed on Lida too heard of the supposed engagement between f.a.n.n.y and Frank Cameron, and for once kept silent upon the subject, at least in f.a.n.n.y"s presence. Dearly as she loved to discuss such matters, she felt there was something in the character of her new friend which forbade an approach to anything like jesting about so personal an affair as one"s own engagement. She, however, fully believed the report, for everything she saw tended to confirm it, and she was anxious to return home that she might carry the important news to Julia and Dr. Lacey. Poor f.a.n.n.y! The clouds were gathering darkly about her, but she, all unconscious of the consequence, talked, laughed, rode and sang with Frank, never thinking that she was thus confirming Lida in a belief which would tend to remove Dr. Lacey farther and farther from her. Could Lida have heard a conversation which one evening took place between Mrs. Cameron and f.a.n.n.y, different, very different would have been the report which she carried back.
One evening as f.a.n.n.y, Lida and Gertrude were walking upon the piazza, a servant came, saying that Mrs. Cameron desired to see Miss Middleton in her room. f.a.n.n.y immediately obeyed the summons, and as soon as she was gone, Lida laughingly congratulated Gertrude upon the project of having so pleasant a sister. Gertrude smilingly received Miss Gibson"s congratulations. "For," thought she, "even if f.a.n.n.y does not marry Frank, Miss Gibson will probably never know it, as she is to leave in a few days."
Let us now with f.a.n.n.y repair to Mrs. Cameron"s room, but not like her wondering why she was sent for. We well know why, and consequently are prepared for the look of mingled indignation and astonishment which appeared on f.a.n.n.y"s face when she learned that Mrs. Cameron was pleading the cause of her son! f.a.n.n.y answered, "Madam, I have always entertained the highest respect for your son, but I must confess it is lessened if it is with his knowledge you are speaking to me."
Mrs. Cameron, who had at first intimated that it was Frank"s request that she should thus intercede for him, now saw her mistake, and veering about, declared what was indeed true, that Frank was wholly ignorant of the whole. Then followed a long, eloquent speech, in which Mrs. Cameron by turns tried to coax, flatter, importune, or frighten f.a.n.n.y into a compliance with her wishes, but f.a.n.n.y could only repeat her first answer.
"I cannot, Mrs. Cameron, I cannot marry Frank. I acknowledge that I like him, but only as I would love a brother. Further remonstrance is useless, for I shall never marry him."
"And why not?" asked Mrs. Cameron. "Do you love another? Are you engaged to another?"
"I cannot answer these questions," said f.a.n.n.y. "Frank knows my reason and has my permission to give it to you." Then rising, she added, "I suppose our conference is now ended, and with your leave I will retire."
Mrs. Cameron nodded her head in a.s.sent, and f.a.n.n.y immediately left the room. A moment after she quitted the apartment, Gertrude entered, all impatient to know her mother"s success.
"Baffled, baffled," was Mrs. Cameron"s reply to her interrogatories. "I can do nothing with her. She is as stubborn as a mule, and we shall either have to conjure up for some reason why the engagement was broken off, or else run the risk of being well laughed at among our circle in New York."
A few days after this, Lida Gibson started for the South, promising f.a.n.n.y that she would see Julia as soon as possible after her return home. Ere long Mrs. Cameron too was seized with a desire to return to the city. The remainder of the party made no objections, and accordingly Mr. and Mrs.
Stanton, Mrs. Cameron, Frank and Gertrude were soon in New York.
Soon after their return, Mrs. Cameron said, in speaking of f.a.n.n.y, "that "twas quite doubtful whether Frank would marry her or not. She was so young, and had, too, so many suitors in Kentucky that she probably would soon forget him, and for her part she was pleased to have it so!"
CHAPTER XIX
JULIA ANNOUNCES HER ENGAGEMENT TO DR. LACEY