er cousin
Belle, to appear utterly unconscious of the existence of any unkind
feelings; and, though Belle often manifested some degree of sulkiness,
she was too dependent upon Kitty's society to retain that disposition
long. They were soon chatting together as usual.

"Belle," said Kitty, as she stood arranging her hair at the glass, "do
you remember a girl we used to meet every morning on our way to school,
walking with a paralytic old man?"

"Yes."

"Do you know, I think it was Gertrude Flint. She has altered very much,
to be sure; but the features are still the same, and there certainly
never was but one such pair of eyes."

"I have no doubt she is the same person," said Belle, composedly.

"Did you think of it before?"

"Yes, as soon as Fanny spoke of her knowing Willie Sullivan."

"Why, Belle, why didn't you speak of it?"

"Lor', Kitty, I don't feel so much interest in her as you and some
others do."

"What others?"

"Why, Mr. Bruce; don't you see he is half in love with her?"

"No, I don't see any such thing; he has known her for a long time (Fanny
says so), and, of course, he feels a respect for a girl that the Grahams
make so much account of. But I don't believe he'd think of such a thing
as being in love with a poor girl like her, with no family connections
to boast of."

"Perhaps he didn't _think_ of being."

"Well, he _wouldn't_ be. She isn't the sort of person that would suit
him. He has been in society a great deal, not only at home, but in
Paris; and he would want a wife that was very lively and fond of
company, and knew how to make a show with money."

"A girl, for instance, like Kitty Ray."

"How ridiculous, Belle! just as if people couldn't talk without thinking
of themselves all the time! What do I care about Ben Bruce?"

"I don't know that you care anything about him; but I wouldn't pull all
the hair out of my head about it, as you are doing. There's the
dinner-bell."

CHAPTER XXVII.

THE DISAPPOINTED WOOER.

Twilight found Gertrude and Emily seated at a window which commanded a
delightful western view. Gertrude had been describing to her blind
friend the gorgeous picture presented to her vision by the masses of
brilliantly-painted cloud; and Emily, as she listened to the glowing
description, experienced a participation in Gertrude's enjoyment. The
glory had now faded away, save a long strip of gold which skirted the
horizon; and the stars as they came out, one by one