she recognized Isabel Clinton, who passed both her and Emily without
observing them, and, there being no vacant chair near at hand, seated
herself with Mrs. Petrancourt on a couch a little farther up the room,
and entered into earnest conversation; nor did she change her position
or look in the direction of Dr. Jeremy's party until she was taking
leave. She would have passed them then without noticing their presence,
but hearing Dr. Gryseworth address Miss Flint by name, she half turned,
caught Gertrude's eye, spoke a careless "How do you do?" with that
indifference with which one salutes a very slight acquaintance, cast a
look back at Emily, surveyed with an impertinent air of curiosity the
rest of the circle to which they belonged, and unceremoniously walked
off, whispering to her companions some satirical comments upon the place
and the company.

"Oh, what a beauty!" exclaimed Netta to Mrs. Petrancourt. "Who is she?"

Mrs. Petrancourt related what she knew of Miss Clinton, told how she had
travelled with her in Switzerland, and met her in Paris, where she was
universally admired; then, turning to Gertrude, she remarked, "You are
acquainted with her, I see, Miss Flint." Gertrude replied that she knew
her before she went abroad, but had seen nothing of her since her
return.

"She has just arrived," said Mrs. Petrancourt; "she came with her father
in the last steamer, and has been in Saratoga but a day or two. She is
making a great sensation at the 'United States,' and has troops of
beaux."

"Most of whom are probably aware," remarked Mr. Petrancourt, "that she
will have plenty of money one of these days."

Emily's attention was by this time attracted. She had been conversing
with Ellen Gryseworth, but now turned to ask Gertrude if they were
speaking of Isabel Clinton.

"Yes," said Dr. Jeremy, "and if she were not the rudest girl in the
world, my dear, you would not have remained so long in ignorance of her
having been here."

Emily forbore to make any comment. Gertrude was silent also; but she
burned inwardly, as she always did, at any slights being offered to the
gentle Emily.

Gertrude and Dr. Jeremy were always among the earliest morning visitors
at the spring. The doctor enjoyed drinking the water at this hour; and,
as Gertrude was fond of walking before breakfast, he made it a point
that she should accompany him, partake of the beverage of which he was
so fond, and afterwards join him in brisk pedestria