middle-aged lady, whom she introduced as her friend, Mrs. Faude, from
Kentucky.

They, as Lucy afterward told Elsie, had made acquaintance the year before
at Saratoga, and were glad to meet again.

Mrs. Faude was much taken with Elsie and her daughters, pleased, indeed,
with the whole family, and from that time forward sought their society
very frequently.

Elsie found her an entertaining companion, polished in manners, refined,
intelligent, highly educated and witty; but a mere worldling, caring for
the pleasures and rewards of this life only.

She was a wealthy widow with but one child, a grown up son, of whom she
talked a great deal.

"Clarence Augustus" was evidently, in his mother's eyes, the perfection of
manly beauty and grace, a great genius, and indeed everything that could
be desired.

"He is still single," she one day said significantly to the younger Elsie,
"though I know plenty of lovely girls, desirable matches in every way, who
would have been delighted with the offer of his hand. Yes, my dear, I am
quite sure of it," she added, seeing a slight smile of incredulity on the
young girl's face; "only wait till you have seen him. He will be here
to-morrow."

Elsie was quite willing to wait, and no dreams of Mrs. Faude's idol
disturbed either her sleeping or waking hours.

Clarence Augustus made his appearance duly the next day at the dinner
table; a really handsome man, if regular features and fine coloring be all
that is necessary to constitute good looks; but his face wore an
expression of self-satisfaction and contempt for others, which was not
attractive to our Ion friends.

But it soon became evident to them, that to most of the other ladies in
the house, he was an object of admiration.

His mother seized an early opportunity to introduce him to the Misses
Travilla, coming upon them as they stood talking together upon the
veranda.

But they merely bowed and withdrew, having, fortunately, an engagement to
drive, at that hour, with their parents and cousins, along the beach.

"What do you think of him?" asked Violet, when they had reached their
room.

"He has good features, and a polished address."

"Yes; but do you like his looks?"

"No; I do not desire his acquaintance."

"Nor I; he's not the sort that papa and grandpa would wish us to know."

"No; so let us keep out of his way."

"But without seeming to do so?"

"Oh, yes; as far as we can. We don't wish to hurt his feelings or