"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 Fanny, 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 Fanny 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, Fanny 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 Fanny concluded was the young
lady's brother. Something in their appearance interested Fanny, 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?"
Fanny 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."