"Certainly I do! And I feel as much concerned about my beautiful young
ladies as you do, ma'am. Never fear but I will look out for their
interest," answered the worthy woman.

And to do as she said, to the best of her understanding, Margaret set
out for a walk on the beach, with some of the other servants and their
escorts, the waiters from the hotel. And before the next noon it was
well known what a good chance there was for two young men to win as
beautiful wives as ever were seen, to say nothing of the other greater
attractions.

And very soon the sisters, Maud and May, were objects of universal
observation. Yet it was very difficult to get an introduction, the
young gentlemen all found; for the widow kept the beautiful girls very
much secluded.

Numberless were the delicate attentions paid them, in the way of
bouquets, books, and so on, sent by Margaret; and several cards to
Mrs. Brownson, with the request for an introduction, accompanied by
references--among which came those of Vernon Wadsworth and Harry
Bennett.

The first one Mrs. Brownson knew well by reputation. He was a young
physician of very fine promise, and, being of one of the best
families in the State, she considered him worthy of her attention. The
other, she had heard since her arrival there, was the possessor of a
very fair amount of worldly goods, the life-long accumulation of an
old miser uncle. So, from the many aspirants, Mrs. Brownson selected
these two to present to her daughters.