Tempest and Sunshine

"What can she possibly mean?" thought Fanny; at the same time gracefully

excusing herself she ran upstairs after her shawl and veil, as Kate had

signified her intention of returning home. But Mrs. Cameron was not to be

thus foiled. She started in pursuit, and reaching the bonnet room as soon

as Fanny, insisted that she and Kate should stop with her during the

remainder of her stay in the city. As Frank soon appeared and joined his

entreaties with those of his mother, Fanny said she would do just as Mrs.

Miller thought proper. Kate, who had expected a similar denouement,

expressed her perfect willingness to visit at her uncle's.

Accordingly, the next morning they left their rooms at the Astor House and

repaired to Mrs. Cameron's, where they were most affectionately received

by Mrs. Cameron and Gertrude. And now commenced a series of toadyism which

was vastly amusing to their acquaintances, many of whom had witnessed Mrs.

Cameron's manner at the party and had since learned a part of the story.

It was strange how soon Mrs. Cameron and Gertrude discovered how many fine

qualities Fanny possessed. Even the "odious scarecrow of a father" was

transformed into an "odd old gentleman," and in speaking of him to one of

her acquaintances, Mrs. Cameron said "he was a very generous, wealthy, but

eccentric old man, and was one of the first citizens in Frankfort." The

good lady forgot that Uncle Joshua did not reside in Frankfort, but twelve

miles from that city! Her word, however, was not questioned, for of course

she would know all about the family of her son's intended wife.

Meanwhile the report of Frank's engagement was circulated freely, and the

whole matter would undoubtedly have been arranged, marriage ceremony and

all, had not Frank put an end to the matter by utterly denying the story.

Some young gentlemen were one morning congratulating him on his future

prospects, and declaring their intention of going to Kentucky, if there

were any more Fannys there, when Frank asked upon whose authority they

were repeating a story for which there was no foundation.

"Why," answered one of them, "my sister heard it from your sister

Gertrude."

"From Gertrude!" said Frank in amazement, "from Gertrude! Well, I cannot

answer for what Gertrude says, but I assure you I am not engaged to Miss

Middleton, and have never been."

This was in the morning, and that evening when Frank entered the sitting

room where his mother and sister were, they beset him to know why he had

denied his engagement with Fanny.