talking it over
this morning, that Mother hit upon the plan of sending you to the
States. You know how prompt she is, once she's made up her mind? Mother
is really a wonderful woman. Twenty minutes later she sent a telegram
to Mrs. Ess Kay, asking her to come down, and certain, under
Providence, that she would; for an intimate sort of invitation like
this, when we're alone (especially after the Great Disappointment),
would be too flattering to a woman of that type not to be snapped at,
no matter if a dozen engagements had to be trampled in the dust."

"What Great Disappointment are you talking about?"

"Infant in Arms! Why, Stan and Miss Woodburn."

"I--didn't know--nobody told me----"

"Fancy needing to be told! As if that weren't the only reason why
Mother smiled on Mrs. Ess Kay in the beginning. It was because she
thought Miss Woodburn might do for Stanforth, who _must_ marry money,
and is too poor, horribly poor, to be much of a catch with most English
heiresses, who aren't as keen on titles as they used to be, unless
there's some solid foundation for them to stand on, and not wobble.
Everyone says Miss Woodburn's a great heiress, and though she's a few
years older than Stan, she's a lady, a charming creature, and not bad
looking. Mother thought all that out, the day they were introduced to
her at the Northminster's concert, so she invited them here. But Stan
and the Woodburn wouldn't _look_ at each other. It was useless even for
Mother's genius to attempt the impossible, so she resigned herself to
the inevitable, and gave the thing up. She meant to drop the Americans
gently--which she could easily do as they were going home soon--when
this new idea popped up. It's really important for me, dear. I do want
you to see that. It will be so much better all around if you are out of
the way, anyhow until I'm safely engaged, and the wedding-day fixed.
Then, you know, if you haven't meanwhile picked up an American
millionaire on the other side--don't look so horrified!--Mother will be
able to devote herself to you, heart and soul, as she has to me. Next
spring you can be presented----"

"Don't bribe," I said, feeling as if I wanted to cry. "If you want to
get rid of me, I'll go without that. But I should have thought I might
be sent again to Aunt Sophy's."

"Not again till our magnificent cousin's safely married. She wouldn't
have you there. Remember how she sent you home, last time. Poor
Loveland! He too, must think