easant but rather sad journey to New York. Two weeks
after their return to Frankfort their uncle called upon them on his way
South. He again repeated his invitation that Stanton and Ashton would
spend a part of the summer with him. Ashton consented, but Stanton still
pleaded his important business North, and his excuse was considered a
sufficient one.

Mrs. Carrington, who had become rather weary of Raymond's attentions and
was longing for a change of place and scene, now tried by every possible
maneuver to induce Mr. Middleton to invite her also. Julia readily
understood her; and as she feared Mrs. Carrington's presence would
frustrate her plans, she resolutely determined that she should not be
invited. Consequently, when that lady talked to Mr. Middleton of New
Orleans, and the desire she had of again visiting that city, Julia would
adroitly change the conversation to some other subject; and once when Mr.
Middleton had actually opened his mouth and commenced giving the desired
invitation, Julia, as if suddenly recollecting herself, started up,
saying, "Excuse me, uncle, but I have a painting in my room which I wish
you to see. Pray, come with me now, for I cannot bring it down, and as it
is getting dark, there is no time to be lost."

Mr. Middleton arose and followed his niece, who congratulated herself on
the success of her stratagem. After reaching her room, and exhibiting her
painting, she said to her uncle, "I do hope you will not ask Mrs.
Carrington to go to New Orleans this summer."

"Why not?" said Mr. Middleton. "She seems anxious that I should do so."

"I know it," answered Julia; "but I am afraid she is not a good woman. At
least she had a bad influence over me, and I always feel wicked after
being with her awhile."

As Julia had supposed, this had the desired effect. Mr. Middleton would
not ask one to visit him whose influence over his niece was bad.
Consequently, all Mrs. Carrington's hints were unnoticed or misunderstood.
She, however, knew tolerably well to whom she was indebted for the slight;
and when, after Mr. Middleton's departure, Julia said to her, "I wonder
uncle did not invite you, too; I thought he was going to do so," she
replied, rather sharply, "I fancy I should have been under no obligations
to you, Miss Julia, if I had received an invitation." Then turning, she
hastily entered her room, and throwing herself upon the sofa, she tried to
devise some scheme by which she could undermine Jul