Clementina received him very graciously.She understood that he was an eligible parti ,and she had not found suitors plentiful.The Raymonds encouraged the idea that they were very rich,but it was a fiction.They were,in truth,considerably straitened,and this probably accounted for their selecting,as a summer home,the modest hotel at Granville,where for seven dollars a week they could live better than they allowed themselves to do at home,and keep up their social status by being "out of town."Clementina not only desired to marry,but to marry a man of means,and it was understood that Mr.Randolph Chester was rich.He must be nearly fifty,to be sure,while she was only twenty four;but this would not prove an insuperable objection to the match.
"How long have you been here,Mr.Chester?"asked Miss Raymond languidly.
"Two weeks or more,Miss Raymond.I began to fear you would overlook Granville this summer.""We had half a mind to go to Newport,"said Clementina."So many of our set there,you know.But mamma likes quiet,and preferred to come here.
The rest of the year,I am so gay --I am sure you know what a tyrant society is --that with balls,parties,and receptions,I was really quite run down,and our physician strongly advised some quiet place like this.I was afraid of being bored,but since you are here,Mr.Chester,I feel quite encouraged."Mr.
Chester cared nothing for Miss Raymond,but he did like flattery,and he was pleased with this compliment.
"I am quite at your service,Miss Raymond,"he responded cheerfully.
"You won't find in Granville the gayety of Brooklyn or New York,but we have our amusements.For instance,day after tomorrow there is to be a union picnic at Thurber's Pond.""How charming!I shall certainly go;that is,if ladies can go unattended.""That will be quite en regle ,but if you will accept my escort,Miss Raymond ----""I shall be delighted,Mr.Chester,I am sure.May mamma go too?""Certainly,"said Mr.Chester,but he did not look delighted.
"My dear,"said the thoughtful mother,"I hardly feel equal to remaining there all the afternoon.You go with Mr.Chester,since he is so kind as to invite you.I may appear there in the course of the afternoon.""Since you prefer it,I will,mamma,"said Clementina softly.No daughter was more filial and considerate than she --in public.
Mabel was with Allan Thorpe,watching the amusements of the children,when she recognized Mr.Randolph Chester approaching.By his side walked Miss Clementina,a stately figure,overtopping her escort.
"Who is that lady with Mr.Chester?"she asked,in some curiosity.
"Miss Raymond,of Brooklyn,"replied Thorpe."The Raymonds are at the hotel.""She seems to be a young lady of some pretension,"remarked Mabel,rather amused by Clementina's airs.
"Quite so,"said Mr.Thorpe."She is a person of very considerable importance --in her own eyes.""You may be in danger,Mr.Thorpe;I believe you are fellow boarders.""The danger is slight;Miss Clementina regards me as a poor artist,quite unworthy of her attentions.Occasionally she condescends to notice me;but in her eyes,I am an inferior being.""I fancy I shall be classed in the same category when she learns that I am the village school mistress.""I suspect you are right.Will it materially detract from your enjoyment,Miss Frost,if this proves to be so?"Mabel laughed merrily.
"I have considerable fortitude,"she replied,"and I hope to bear up under it.See,they are coming this way.".
Randolph Chester had not failed to notice Mabel,and it caused him a pang of jealousy to see her under the escort of another.He meant that she should see him,and,with Miss Raymond by his side,advanced to where they were standing.
"Oh,this is Miss Frost,the new teacher,"he said."Let me introduce you.""I believe you are a teacher,Miss Frost,"said Clementina,when this formality had been accomplished.
"I teach the grammar school in this village,Miss Raymond,"replied Mabel demurely.
"A very useful vocation,"remarked Miss Raymond patronizingly."I really feel ashamed of myself when I compare myself with you.I am afraid we fashionable girls are very useless.""Not necessarily so.Your means of usefulness are greater,"replied Mabel.
