“Where, then, shall we go?”

“I don’t know, unless to Saratoga.”

“Victorine said,” remarked Adeline, “that a large number of distinguished visiters were to be there, and that it was thought the season would be the gayest spent for some time.”

“I suppose we will have to go, then,” said Emily.

“I am ready,” responded Adeline.”

“And so am I,” said Florence.

That evening Mr. Ludlow was graver and more silent than usual.  After tea, as he felt no inclination to join in the general conversation about the sayings and doings of distinguished and fashionable individuals, he took a newspaper, and endeavored to become interested in its contents.  But he tried in vain.  There was something upon his mind that absorbed his attention at the same time that it oppressed his feelings.  From a deep reverie he was at length roused by Emily, who said—­

“So, Pa, you are determined not to let us go out in the next steamer?”

“Don’t talk to me on that subject any more, if you please,” replied Mr. Ludlow, much worried at the remark.

“Well, that’s all given up now,” continued Emily, “and we’ve made up our minds to go to Saratoga.  How soon will you be able to go with us?”

“Not just now,” was the brief, evasive reply.

“We don’t want to go until next week.”

“I am not sure that I can go even then.”

“O, but we must go then, Pa.”

“You cannot go without me,” said Mr. Ludlow, in a grave tone.

“Of course not,” replied Emily and Adeline at the same moment.

“Suppose, then, I cannot leave the city next week?”

“But you can surely.”

“I am afraid not.  Business matters press upon me, and will, I fear, engage my exclusive attention for several weeks to come.”

“O, but indeed you must lay aside business,” said Mrs. Ludlow.  “It will never do for us to stay at home, you knows during the season when everybody is away.”

“I shall be very sorry if circumstances arise to prevent you having your regular summer recreation,” was replied, in a serious, even sad tone.  “But, I trust my wife and daughters will acquiesce with cheerfulness.”

“Indeed, indeed, Pa!  We never can stay at home,” said Emily, with a distressed look.  “How would it appear?  What would people say if we were to remain in the city during all the summer?”

“I don’t know, Emily, that you should consider that as having any relation to the matter.  What have other people to do with matters which concerns us alone?”

“You talk very strangely of late, Mr. Ludlow,” said his wife.

“Perhaps I have reason for so doing,” he responded, a shadow flitting across his face.

An embarrassing silence ensued, which was broken, at last, by Mr. Ludlow.