on that brother Abel did know Hope
Wayne, and was in love with her. She inferred the latter from the fact
that she had long ago decided that brother Abel would not fall in love
with any poor girl, and therefore she was sure that if he were in the
immediate neighborhood of a lady at once young, beautiful, of good family
and very rich, he would be immediately in love--very much in love.

To make every thing sure, Abel had not been at home half an hour before
Fanny's well-directed allusion to Hope as the future Mrs. Dinks had
caused her brother to indicate an interest which revealed every thing.

"If now," pondered Miss Fanny, "somebody who shall be nameless becomes
Mrs. Alfred Dinks, and the nameless somebody's brother marries Miss Hope
Wayne, what becomes of the Burt property?"

She went, therefore, to Saratoga in great spirits, and with an unusual
wardrobe. The opposing general, Field-marshal Mrs. Budlong Dinks, had
certainly the advantage of position, for Hope Wayne was of her immediate
party, and she could devise as many opportunities as she chose for
bringing Mr. Alfred and his cousin together. She did not lose her
chances. There were little parties for bowling in the morning, and early
walking, and Fanny was invited very often, but sometimes omitted, as if
to indicate that she was not an essential part of the composition. There
was music in the parlor before dinner, and working of purses and bags
before the dressing-bell. There was the dinner itself, and the promenade,
with music, afterward. Drives, then, and riding; the glowing return at
sunset--the cheerful cup of tea--the reappearance, in delightful toilet,
for the evening dance--windows--balconies--piazzas--moonlight!

Every time that Fanny, warm with the dance, declared that she must have
fresh air, and that was every time she danced with Alfred, she withdrew,
attended by him, to the cool, dim piazza, and every time Mrs. Dinks
beheld the departure. On the cool, dim piazza the music sounded more
faintly, the quiet moonlight filled the air, and life seemed all romance
and festival.

"How beautiful after the hot room!" Fanny said, one evening as they sat
there.

"Yes, how beautiful!" replied Alfred.

"How happy I feel!" sighed Fanny. "Ever since I have been here I have
been so happy!"

"Have you been happy? So I have been happy too. How very funny!" replied
Alfred.

"Yes; but pleasant too. Sympathy is always pleasant." And Fanny turned
her large black e