Deeply mortified Gertrude was obliged to confess that she had no
acquaintance with her. "That's strange," said the lady. "We all supposed
she stopped at your father's with your cousin."
A new idea entered Gertrude's mind, and instead of replying to this last
remark, she said, "I shall know her well, though, for Frank has proposed
to her."
"Did she accept him?" asked the lady eagerly.
"Of course," was Gertrude's haughty answer. "Do you think he would offer
himself unless sure of success?"
Ten minutes more and dozens of persons were gossiping about the engagement
between Frank Cameron and the beautiful Kentuckian. Scores of questions
were poured in upon Gertrude relative to her future sister-in-law, but
none of them could she answer. Vexed at her own ignorance, she ran
upstairs to her mother, whom she told to "come down immediately and see
what fools they had made of themselves."
"Why, what is the matter, child?" said Mrs. Cameron, much alarmed at
Gertrude's excited looks and manners.
"All the city is ready to fall down and worship this Fanny 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 Fanny 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 Fanny'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 Fanny 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.