Lida Gibson, whom our readers will recollect as having met at Mabel
Mortimer’s party in New Orleans, was a thoughtless, but kind-hearted girl,
and never felt happier than when employed in canvassing matches. On the
morning when the Cameron party arrived at the Springs, she had sent her
brother to learn the names of the newcomers. On his return he mentioned
Fanny Middleton as being one of the new arrivals, so ’twas not surprising
that Lida should so readily recognize her.

As days passed on Lida too heard of the supposed engagement between Fanny
and Frank Cameron, and for once kept silent upon the subject, at least in
Fanny’s presence. Dearly as she loved to discuss such matters, she felt
there was something in the character of her new friend which forbade an
approach to anything like jesting about so personal an affair as one’s own
engagement. She, however, fully believed the report, for everything she
saw tended to confirm it, and she was anxious to return home that she
might carry the important news to Julia and Dr. Lacey. Poor Fanny! The
clouds were gathering darkly about her, but she, all unconscious of the
consequence, talked, laughed, rode and sang with Frank, never thinking
that she was thus confirming Lida in a belief which would tend to remove
Dr. Lacey farther and farther from her. Could Lida have heard a
conversation which one evening took place between Mrs. Cameron and Fanny,
different, very different would have been the report which she carried
back.

One evening as Fanny, Lida and Gertrude were walking upon the piazza, a
servant came, saying that Mrs. Cameron desired to see Miss Middleton in
her room. Fanny immediately obeyed the summons, and as soon as she was
gone, Lida laughingly congratulated Gertrude upon the project of having so
pleasant a sister. Gertrude smilingly received Miss Gibson’s
congratulations. "For," thought she, "even if Fanny does not marry Frank,