s Gertrude, do
take this seat."

"Thank you," said Gertrude, "but I see my friend the doctor on the other
side of the room; he expects me to speak to him, so don't let me disturb
you."

Dr. Jeremy now came half-way across the room to meet her, and led her
into the recess formed by the window, and placed her in his own seat
next to Fanny Bruce. To the astonishment of all who knew him, Ben Bruce
brought his own chair, and placed it for the doctor opposite to
Gertrude. So much respect for age was not anticipated from the man of
fashion.

"Is that a daughter of Mr. Graham's?" asked a young lady of Belle
Clinton, who sat next her.

"No, indeed," replied Belle; "she is a person to whom Miss Graham gave
an education, and now she lives here to read to her and be a sort of
companion; her name is Flint."

"What did you say that young lady's name was?" asked a dashing
lieutenant, addressing Isabel.

"Miss Flint."

"Flint, ah! she's a genteel-looking girl. How peculiarly she dresses her
hair!"

"Very becoming, however, to that style of face," remarked the young lady
who had first spoken. "Don't you think so?"

"I don't know," replied the lieutenant; "something becomes her; she
makes a fine appearance. Bruce," said he, as Mr. Bruce returned, after
his unusual effort of politeness, "who is that Miss Flint?--I have been
here two or three times, and I never saw her before."

"Very likely," said Mr. Bruce; "she won't always show herself. Isn't she
a fine-looking girl?"

"I haven't made up my mind yet; she's got a splendid figure; but who is
she?"

"She's a sort of adopted daughter of Mr. Graham's, I believe, a
_protegee_ of Miss Emily's."

"Ah, poor thing! An orphan?"

"Yes, I suppose so," said Ben, biting his lips.

"Pity!" said the young man; "poor thing! but she's good-looking,
particularly when she smiles; there is something very attractive about
her face."

There certainly was to Ben, for, a moment after, Kitty Ray missed him
from the room, and immediately espied him, standing on the piazza, and
leaning through the open window to talk with Gertrude, Dr. Jeremy, and
Fanny. The conversation soon became very lively; there seemed to be a
war of wits going on; the doctor, especially, laughed very loud, and
Gertrude and Fanny often joined in the merry peal. Kitty endured it as
long as she could, and then ran, joined the party, and heard what they
were having so much fun about.

But it was all an enigma to Kitty.