im.
There are some people, you know, for whom it is always sufficient excuse
to say, _It is their way_. I wish he would condescend to join us again,
however; I should like to introduce him to you, Miss Flint."

"You wouldn't like him," said Netta.

"Now, that is not fair, Netta!" said her sister, "to prejudice Miss
Flint against my friend. You mustn't let her influence you," said she to
Gertrude. "She hasn't known him half as long as I have; and I do not
dislike him. My straightforward sister never likes odd people, and I
must confess that Mr. Phillips is eccentric; but he interests me all the
more on that account, and I am sure he and you would have many ideas and
sentiments in common."

"How can you say so, Ellen?" said Netta. "I think they are totally
different."

"You must consider Netta's remark complimentary, Miss Flint," said
Ellen; "it would not be quite so much so if it had come from me."

"But you wished me to become acquainted with your oddity," said
Gertrude. "I suspect you act on the principle that one's misfortunes
should be shared by one's friends."

Netta laughed. "Not exactly," said she; "it was compassion _for him_
that moved me. I can't help pitying him when he looks so home-sick, and
I thought your society would brighten him up and do him good."

"Ah, Netta!" said her sister, "he has excited your sympathy, I see. A
few days more, and I shouldn't be surprised if you went beyond me in
your admiration of him. If so, take care, you transparent creature, not
to betray your inconsistency." Then she said to Gertrude, "Netta met Mr.
Phillips only yesterday and has not seemed very favourably impressed.
Father and I were passengers in the same steamer in which he came from
Liverpool a few weeks ago. He had an ill turn in the early part of the
voyage, and it was in a professional way that father first made his
acquaintance. I was surprised at seeing him on board to-day, for he
mentioned no such intention yesterday."

Gertrude suspected that the young lady might herself be the cause of his
journey; but she did not say so, and the conversation taking another
turn, Mr. Phillips was not again adverted to, though Gertrude observed,
just before the boat stopped at West Point, that Dr. Jeremy and Dr.
Gryseworth had joined him, and that the trio were engaged in a colloquy
which seemed to interest them all. At West Point, Gertrude parted from
her new friends, who expressed a wish to meet in Saratoga.

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