“Mrs. Crane!  Witch of Endor just as soon,” answered Raymond.  “Why, man alive, ’twas the beautiful Mrs. Carrington.  I tell you what, Bob, my destiny is upon me and she is its star.  I see in her my future wife.”

“Why, Fred,” said Mr. Stanton, “are you crazy?  Mrs. Carrington is at least nearly thirty-five, and you are not yet twenty-five.”

“I don’t care for that,” replied Raymond.  “She may be thirty, and she may be a hundred, but she looks sixteen.  Such glorious eyes I never saw.  And she almost annihilated me with one of her captivating smiles.  Her name, too, is my favorite.”

“Her name?  Pray, how did you learn her name?” asked Stanton.

“Why,” answered Raymond, “you know we were talking together a part of the evening.  Our conversation turned upon names, and I remarked that Ida was my favorite.  Bob, you ought to have seen her smile as she told me Ida was her own name.  Perhaps I said something foolish, for I replied that Ida was a beautiful name and only fitted for such as she; but she smiled still more sweetly and said I knew how to flatter.”

“Well,” answered Stanton.  “I hardly think you will win her, if what our friend Ashton said is true.  You have no million to offer her.”

“Oh, fly on your million!” said Raymond.  “She’s got to have me any way.  If I can’t get her by fair means, I’ll resort to stratagem.”

Thus the young man raved for nearly half an hour about Mrs. Carrington, whose handsome features, glossy curls, bright eyes, brilliant complexion and agreeable manners had nearly turned his head.  Mrs. Carrington, too, had received an impression.  There was something in Raymond’s dashing manner, which she called “air,” and she felt greatly pleased with his flattering compliments.  She thought he would be a very pleasant companion to flirt with for an hour or two; but could she have known what his real intentions concerning her were she would have spurned him with contempt—­as she afterward did.

The next day at dinner Stanton and Raymond took their seats at Mrs. Crane’s table.  To Raymond’s great delight Mrs. Carrington sat opposite him.  Stanton occupied Dr. Lacey’s seat, which brought Fanny directly in front of him.  Fanny had been prepared in a measure for the striking resemblance between Stanton and Dr. Lacey; but when she was introduced to him, his looks brought Dr. Lacey so forcibly before her that she instantly grew pale and half wished to leave the room.  But a look from Mrs. Miller reassured her, and she took her accustomed place at the table.

Ere dinner was over she had forgotten for the time her lover’s neglect, and was in the midst of an animated conversation with Stanton, who was much pleased with his cousin’s choice.  Stanton’s looks and manners were so much like Dr. Lacey’s that Fanny felt herself irresistibly drawn toward him and her face assumed a brighter aspect than it had worn for many days.  Julia watched her closely and felt that nothing could please her better than a flirtation between Stanton and her sister.