o
console themselves as best they could.

We will not weary the reader by repeating the conversation between
Gertrude and her mother. We will only say that Mrs. Cameron decided to go
as soon as possible to Saratoga, "and when once there," said she, "I will
use all my influence with Miss Middleton; nay, if necessary, I will even
beg her to marry Frank, for I know she likes him."

Gertrude was delighted with this idea. She had forgotten how determined
she once was not to visit Saratoga with Fanny Middleton. Next morning Mrs.
Cameron proposed to her guests that as the weather was getting warm, they
should start directly for the Springs. The visitors of course could make
no objections, and as Mr. and Mrs. Stanton, who were to accompany them,
also acquiesced in the plan, two days more found our friends at Saratoga,
together with crowds more of the fashionable from the north, south, east
and west.

On the first day of their arrival, Fanny noticed seated opposite her at
the dinner table, a dark-eyed, sprightly looking girl, whose eyes so
constantly met hers, that at last both blushed and the stranger girl half
smiled. By her side sat a gentleman, whom Fanny concluded was the young
lady's brother. Something in their appearance interested Fanny, and she
could not help thinking that they were from the South. That evening as she
was walking alone upon the piazza, she was suddenly joined by the unknown
lady, who accosted her with, "Pardon me, ma'am, but am I not speaking to
Miss Middleton from Kentucky?"

Fanny was too much surprised to answer immediately, but soon recovering
her self-possession, she answered, "You are, but I have not the pleasure
of knowing you."

"I presume not," said the lady. "We have never met before, and yet I knew
you instantly."

"Knew me! How?" asked Fanny.

"From description," replied the lady. "You have been so accurately
described to me by our mutual friend Miss Woodburn, of New Orleans, that I
could not mistake you."

"Florence Woodburn! New Orleans!" exclaimed Fanny. "And are you from New
Orleans, and do you know Florence, and have you seen Julia?"

To all these questions the stranger answered "Yes," continuing, "and now
let me introduce myself. I am Lida Gibson, but I might as well be John
Smith for any idea my name will convey. However, I am from New Orleans,
and know Florence and your Uncle William well. Just before I left the
city, I made your sister's acquaintance. When she learned I w