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And now days and even weeks passed on, and no marked event
took place in Mr. Graham's household. The weather became intensely
warm, and no more walks and drives were planned. The
lieutenant left the neighboring city, which was at this season
nearly deserted by the friends of Mrs. Graham and her nieces;
and Isabel, who could neither endure with patience excessive
heat or want of society, grew more irritable and fretful than
ever.

To Kitty, however, these summer-days were fraught with interest.
Mr. Bruce remained in the neighborhood, visited constantly
at the house, and exercised a marked influence upon her outward
demeanor and her inward happiness, which were changeable and
fluctuating as his attentions were freely bestowed or altogether
suspended. No wonder the poor girl was puzzled to understand
one whose conduct was certainly inexplicable to any but those
initiated into his motives. Believing, as he did, that Gertrude
would in time show a disposition to win him back, he was anxious
only to carry his addresses to Kitty to such a point as would
excite a serious alarm in the mind of the poor protegée of the
Grahams, who dared to slight his proffered advances. Acting
then as he did almost wholly with reference to Gertrude, it was
only in her presence, or under such circumstances that he was
sure it would reach her ears, that he manifested a marked interest
in Kitty; and his behavior was, therefore, in the highest degree
unequal, leading the warm-hearted Kitty to believe one moment
that he felt for her almost the tenderness of a lover, and the next

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to suffer under the apprehension of having unconsciously wounded
or offended him by her careless gayety or conversation. Unfortunately,
too, Mrs. Graham took every opportunity to tease and
congratulate her upon her conquest, thereby increasing the simple
girl's confidence in the sincerity of Mr. Bruce's admiration.

Nor were Mr. Bruce and Kitty the only persons who found
occasion for vexation and anxiety in this matter. Gertrude, whose
eyes were soon opened to the existing state of things, was filled
with regret and apprehension on account of Kitty, for whose
peace and welfare she felt a tender and affectionate concern. The
suspicions to which Mr. Bruce's conduct gave rise, during the
scenes which have been detailed, were soon strengthened into convictions;
for, on several occasions, after he had been offering
Kitty ostentatious proofs of devotion, he thought proper to test
their effect upon Gertrude by the tender of some attention to
herself; more than intimating, at the same time, that she had it
in her power to rob Kitty of all claim upon his favor.

Gertrude availed herself of every opportunity to acquaint him
with the truth, that he could not possibly render himself more
odious in her eyes than by the use of such mean attempts to
mortify her; but, attributing her warmth to the very feeling of
jealousy which he desired to excite, the selfish young man persevered
in his course of folly and wickedness. As he only proffered
his attentions, and made no offer of his heart and hand, Gertrude
did not in the least trust his professions towards herself, considering
them merely as intended, if possible, to move her from her firm
and consistent course of behavior, in order to gratify his self-love.
But she saw plainly that, however light and vain his motives
might be in her own case, they were still more so with reference
to Kitty; and she was deeply grieved at the evident unconsciousness
of this fact which the simple girl constantly exhibited.

For, strangely enough, Kitty, having quite forgotten that she
had a few weeks back looked upon Gertrude as a rival, now chose
her for her bosom friend and confidant. Her aunt was too coarse
and rough, Belle too selfish and vain, to be intrusted with little
matters of the heart; and, though Kitty had no idea of confessing
her partiality for Mr. Bruce, the transparency of her character

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was such, that she betrayed her secret to Gertrude without being
in the least aware that she had done so. Though no one but Gertrude
appeared to observe it, Kitty was wonderfully changed;—
the gay, laughing, careless Kitty had now her fits of musing,—her
sunny face was subject to clouds, that flitted across it, and robbed
it of all its brightness. Now, her spirits were unnaturally free
and lively; and now, she wore a pensive expression, and, stealthily
lifting her eyes, fixed them anxiously on the face of Mr.
Bruce, as if studying his temper or his sentiments. If she saw
Gertrude walking in the garden, or sitting alone in her room,
she would approach, throw her arm around her, lean against her
shoulder, and talk on her favorite topic. She would relate,
with a mixture of simplicity and folly, the complimentary
speeches and polite attentions of Mr. Bruce; talk about him for
an hour, and question Gertrude as to her opinion of his merits,
and the sincerity of his avowed admiration for herself. She
would intimate her perception of some fault possessed by him,
who was in her eyes almost perfection; and when Gertrude coincided
with her, and expressed regret at the evident failing, she
would exhaust a great amount of strength and ingenuity in her
efforts to prove that they were both mistaken in attributing it to
him, and that, if he had a fault, it was in reality quite the
reverse. She would ask if Gertrude really supposed he meant all
he said, and add that of course she didn't believe he did,—it was
all nonsense. And if Gertrude embraced the opportunity to avow
the same opinion, and declare that it was not best to trust all his
high-flown flatteries, poor Kitty's face would fall, and she would
proceed to give her reasons for sometimes thinking he was sincere,
he had such a truthful, earnest way of speaking.

It was no use to throw out hints, or try to establish safeguards.
Kitty was completely infatuated. At last Mr. Bruce thought
proper to try Gertrude's firmness by offering to her acceptance a
rich ring. Not a little surprised at his presumption, she declined
it without hesitation or ceremony, and the next day saw it on the
finger of Kitty, who was eager to give an account of its presentation.

“And did you accept it?” asked Gertrude, with such a look of

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astonishment, that Kitty observed it, and evaded an acknowledgment
of having done so, by saying, with a blushing countenance,
that she agreed to wear it a little while.

“I would n't,” said Gertrude.

“Why not?”

“Because, in the first place, I do not think it is in good taste to
receive rich gifts from gentlemen; and then, again, if strangers
notice it, you may be subjected to unpleasant, significant remarks.”

“What would you do with it?” asked Kitty.

“I should give it back.”

Kitty looked very undecided; but, on reflection, concluded to
offer it to Mr. Bruce, and tell him what Gertrude said. She did
so, and that gentleman, little appreciating Gertrude's motives, and
believing her only desirous of making difficulty between him and
Kitty, jumped at the conclusion that her heart was won at last,
and that his triumph would now be complete. He was disappointed,
therefore, when, on his next meeting with her, she
treated him, as she had invariably done of late, with cool civility;
indeed, it seemed to him that she was more insensible than ever to
his attractions; and, hastily quitting the house, much to the distress
of Kitty (who spent the rest of the day in thinking over
everything she had done and said which could by any possibility
have given offence), he sought his old haunt under the pear-tree,
and gave himself up to the consideration of a weighty question.

Seldom did Ben Bruce feel called upon to take serious views of
any subject; seldom was he accustomed to rally and marshal the
powers of his mind, and deliberately weigh the two sides of an
argument. Living, as he did, with no higher aim than the promoting
of his own selfish gratification, he had been wont to avail
himself of every opportunity for amusement and indulgence, and
even to bring mean and petty artifice to the furtherance of his
plans. Possessed, as he was, notwithstanding his narrow mind, with
what is often called “a good look-out,” he was rarely cheated or
defrauded of his rights. He knew the value of his money and
position in life, and never suffered himself to be sacrificed to the
designs of those who hoped to reap a benefit from his companionship.
Self-sacrifice, too, was a thing of which he had no

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experience, and with which, as seen in others, he felt no sympathy.
Now, however, a crisis had arrived when his own interests and
wishes clashed; when necessity demanded that one should be
immolated at the shrine of the other, and a choice must be made
between the two. It was certainly a matter which claimed deep
deliberation; and if Ben Bruce, for the first time in his life,
devoted a whole afternoon to careful thought, and an accurate
measurement of opposing forces, the occurrence must be attributed
to the fact that he was making up his mind on the most
important question that ever yet had agitated it.

“Shall I,” thought he, “conclude to marry this poor girl?
Shall I, who am master of a handsome fortune, and have additional
expectations, forego the prospect they afford me of making
a brilliant alliance, and condescend to share my wealth and station
in society with this adopted child of the Grahams; who, in
spite of her poverty, will not grant me a smile even, except at
the price of all my possessions? If she were one atom less charming,
I would disappoint her, after all! I wonder how she'd feel
if I should marry Kitty! I daresay I never should have the satisfaction
of knowing; for she's so proud that she would come to
my wedding, for aught I know, bend her slender neck as gracefully
as ever, and say, `Good-evening, Mr. Bruce,' as politely and
calmly as she does now, every time I go to the house! It provokes
me to see how a poor girl like that carries herself. But, as
Mrs. Bruce, I should be proud of that manner, certainly. I
wonder how I ever got in love with her;—I'm sure I don't know.
She isn't handsome; at least, mother thinks she isn't, and so
does Belle Clinton. But, then again, Lieutenant Osborne noticed
her the minute she came into the room; and there's Fan raves
about her beauty. I don't know what I think myself; I believe
she's bewitched me, so that I'm not capable of judging; but, if
it isn't beauty, it is because it's something more than mere good
looks.”

Thus he soliloquized; and as, every time he revolved the subject,
he commenced by dwelling upon the immense sacrifice he was
making, and euded with reflections upon Gertrude's charms, it
may well be supposed that he ultimately came to the conclusion

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that he should suffer less by laying his fortune at her feet than
by the endeavor to enjoy that fortune without her. For a few
days after he arrived at a resolve on this point, he had no opportunity
to address a word to Gertrude, who was now doubly anxious
to avoid him, and spent nearly the whole day above stairs,
except when, at Emily's request, she accompauied her for a short
time into the parlor; and even then she took pains, under some
pretext or other, to remain close by the side of her blind friend.

About this time, Mrs. Graham and Mrs. Bruce, with their families,
received cards for a levee to be held at the house of an
acquaintance nearly five miles distant. It was on the occasion
of the marriage of a schoolmate of Isabel's, and both she and
Kitty were desirous to be present. Mrs. Bruce, who had a close
carriage, invited both the cousins to accompany her; and, as Mr.
Graham's carryall, when closed, would only accommodate himself
and lady, the proposal was gladly acceded to.

The prospect of a gay assembly and an opportunity for display
revived Isabel's drooping spirits and energy. Her rich evening
dresses were brought out, for the selection of the most suitable
and becoming; and as she stood before her mirror, and tried on
first one wreath and then another, and looked so beautiful in
each that it was difficult to make a choice, Kitty, who stood by,
eagerly endeavoring to win her attention, and obtain her advice concerning
the style and style and color most desirable for herself, gave up in
despair, and ran off to consult Gertrude.

She found her reading in her own room; but, on Kitty's abrupt
entrance, she laid down her book, and gave her undivided attention
to the subject which was under discussion.

“Gertrude,” said Kitty, “what shall I wear this evening?
I've been trying to get Belle to tell me, but she never will speak
a word, or hear what I ask her, when she's thinking about her
own dress!—I declare, she's dreadfully selfish!”

“Who advises her?” asked Gertrude.

“O, nobody; she always decides for herself; but then she has
so much taste, and I haven't the least in the world!—So, do tell
me, Gertrude, what had I better wear to-night?”

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“I'm the last person you should ask, Kitty; I never went to a
fashionable party in my life.”

“That doesn't make any difference. I'm sure, if you did go,
you'd look better than any of us; and I'm not afraid to trust
to your opinion, for I never in my life saw you wear anything
that didn't look genteel;—even your gingham morning-gown
has a sort of stylish air.”

“Stop, stop, Kitty! you are going too far; you must keep
within bounds, if you want me to believe you.”

“Well, then,” said Kitty, “to say nothing of yourself (for I know
you're superior to flattery, Gertrude,—somebody told me so),
who furnishes Miss Emily's wardrobe? Who selects her dresses?”

“I have done so, lately, but—”

“I thought so! I thought so!” interrupted Kitty. “I knew
poor Miss Emily was indebted to you for always looking so nice
and so beautiful.”

“No, indeed, Kitty, you are mistaken; I have never seen
Emily better dressed than she was the first time I met her; and
her beauty is not borrowed from art—it is all her own.”

“O, I know she is lovely, and everybody admires her; but no
one can suppose she would take pains to wear such pretty things,
and put them on so gracefully, just to please herself.”

“It is not done merely to please herself; it was to please her
father that Emily first made the exertion to dress with taste as
well as neatness. I have heard that, for some time after she lost
her eye-sight, she was disposed to be very careless; but, having
accidentally discovered that it was au additional cause of sorrow
to him, she roused herself at once, and, with Mrs. Ellis' assistance,
contrived always afterwards to please him in that particular.
But you observe, Kitty, she never wears anything showy or conspicuous.”

“No, indeed,—that is what I like; but, Gertrude, hasn't she
always been blind?”

“No; until she was sixteen she had beautiful eyes, and could
see as well as you can.”

“What happened to her? How did she lose them?”

“I don't know.”

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