“Most certainly I did.  That was one object in going,” was Frank’s quiet reply.

The horrified Mrs. Cameron, throwing up both hands in a most theatrical manner, exclaimed, “Mon Dieu!” It was the only French phrase she knew, and she used it upon all occasions.  This time, however, it was accompanied by a loud call for her vineagrette and for air, at the same time declaring it was of no use trying to restore her, for her heart was broken and she was going to faint.

“Let me wash these red spots off from your cheek.  You can’t faint gracefully with so much color,” said Frank gravely, at the same time literally deluging his mother’s face with cologne, much against the blooming lady’s inclination.  This little scene determined Frank not to tell that he was rejected.  At first he had intended to disclose all, but now he decided otherwise.  “They may as well fret about that as anything else,” thought he, “and when they see Fanny, I shall have a glorious triumph.”  So he kept his own secret, and commenced teasing Gertrude about going to Saratoga with himself, their cousin Kate and Fanny.

“I shall do no such thing, Master Frank,” said Gertrude.  “I am willing enough to see Kate, and invite her here too, for she is fine looking and appears well, even if she is a music teacher; but this Fanny Middleton—­Ugh!  I’ll never associate with her on terms of equality, or own her as my sister either.”

“I do not think you will,” said Frank; but Gertrude knew not what cause he had for so saying.

After he had quitted the apartment, Mrs. Cameron and Gertrude tried to think of some way to let Fanny know that she was not wanted in their family.  “Dear me,” said Gertrude, “I will not go to Saratoga, and be obliged to see Frank make a dolt of himself with this plebian Kentuckian.  If she were only rich and accomplished, why, it would be different, and the fact of her being from Kentucky would increase her attractions.  But now it is too bad!” And Gertrude actually cried with vexation and mortified pride.  Poor creature!  How mistaken she was with regard to Fanny Middleton, and so she one day learned.

But as the reader is doubtless anxious to hear of Fanny’s introduction to Mrs. Cameron and Gertrude, we will give a description of it in the next chapter.

CHAPTER XVIII

Fanny welcomed by Mrs. Cameron

Contrary to his first intention, Stanton concluded to come North in July.  He had of course learned from Nellie that her mysterious guardian had proved to be Judge Fulton, his sister’s husband.  And more recently she had written to him of Judge Fulton’s removal to New York City.  Mr. Miller was apprised of Stanton’s return by a letter, in which he was also informed that the wedding would take place in Grace Church on the morning of the 22d.