e introduced to Mrs.
Carrington, Mr. Stanton and Raymond. Mrs. Carrington acknowledged her
introduction to Mr. Cameron merely by a haughty, disdainful bow. She had
learned from Kate that he was not married; and feeling indignant at the
deception he attempted to practice upon her, she resolved to treat him
with contempt. Accordingly, although seated opposite him, she deigned him
neither look nor word, but divided her time between laughing and
coquetting with Raymond, and trying the power of her charms upon Mr.
Middleton, who, she had been told, was a bachelor, and possessed of
unbounded wealth. With the old Indian, however, she made but little
headway; and Frank was right when he thought, "You'll get tired of that
play, madam; the game is too old to be caught with chaff." With Raymond
she succeeded better. He was delighted with her unusually flattering
notice; and ere supper was over he had, in Frank's estimation, made a
perfect fool of himself.

Frank's attention was, however, soon diverted toward Mr. Middleton, who
said, speaking to Stanton, "Were it not for your name and glasses, I would
address you as Dr. Lacey. Are you related to him?"

Stanton replied, "Yes, sir; he is my cousin. I think I must resemble him,
as I have been told so frequently."

Mr. Middleton then spoke of Dr. Lacey in the highest terms of
commendation, and concluded his remarks by saying, "I have recently
purchased a residence, near Lake Pontchartrain, and am beating up recruits
to spend the summer there with me. I am sure of Dr. Lacey, Miss Woodburn,
and her cousin, Miss Mortimer. My nieces I shall take back with me, any
way, and shall be happy to prevail on you, Mr. Stanton, to accompany me
also."

Stanton thanked him for his kind invitation, but at the same time declined
it, saying that business would call him to New York in the autumn. The
deep blush which accompanied these words caused Raymond to burst into a
laugh. Mr. Middleton looked inquiringly at him and he said, "Pardon me for
laughing; I was thinking of the important business which calls Bob to New
York."

"Nothing bad, I hope," said Mr. Middleton.

"Nothing worse than going for a wife," answered Raymond. "He is not suited
with Kentucky girls, but must needs plod back to New York."

"If appearances do not deceive, you, at least, seem likely to be suited by
a Kentuckian," replied Mr. Middleton, at the same time turning his black
eyes on Mrs. Carrington with something of a quizzic