"I am much obliged to you," she replied, with a toss of her head; "but
there are as good fish in the sea as ever were caught."

The next moment she rose and left the table, Mrs. Hart following her
into the public parlor, and continuing the conversation by remarking,
"I would sue him for breach of promise if I were you, Miss Stevens. I
understood you were engaged to him."

"I never said so; so what right had you to suppose it?" returned Miss
Stevens snappishly.

And upon reflecting a moment, Mrs. Hart could not remember that she
had ever said so in plain terms, although she had hinted it many
times--talking a great deal of Mr. Dinsmore's splendid establishment,
and frequently speaking of the changes she thought would be desirable
in Elsie's dress, just as though she expected some day to have it
under her control. Then, too, she had always treated Mr. Dinsmore with
so much familiarity that it was perfectly natural strangers should
suppose they were engaged, even though he never reciprocated it;
for that might be only because he was naturally reserved and
undemonstrative; as indeed Miss Stevens frequently averred, seeming to
regret it very deeply.

Presently she burst out, "I don't know why people are always so ready
to talk! I don't care for Horace Dinsmore, and never did! There was
never anything serious between us, though I must say he has paid me
marked attentions, and given me every reason to suppose he meant
something by them. I never gave him any encouragement, however; and so
he has been taken in by that artful creature. I thought he had more