As riches increased, so did Mrs. Cameron's proud spirit, until she came to
look upon herself as somewhat above the common order of her fellow-beings.
She endeavored to instil her ideas of exclusiveness into the minds of her
children. With her daughter Gertrude, she succeeded admirably, and by the
time that young lady had reached her eighteenth year, she fancied herself
a kind of queen to whom all must pay homage. But Frank the poor mother
found perfectly incorrigible. He was too much like his father to think
himself better than his neighbor on account of his wealth. Poor Mrs.
Cameron had long given him up, only asking as a favor that he would not
disgrace his family by marrying the washerwoman's daughter. Frank promised
he would not, unless perchance he should fall in love with her, "And
then," said he, with a wicked twinkle of his handsome hazel eyes, "then,
my dear Mrs. Cameron, I cannot be answerable for consequences."
He had always greatly admired his cousin Kate, and often horrified his
mother by declaring that if Kate were not his cousin, he would surely
marry her. "Thank the Lord, then, that she is so near a relative! For now
you will not stoop to marry a music teacher," said Mrs. Cameron.
The old roguish expression danced in Frank's eye, as he said, "Most noble
mother Adelaide, will you tell me whether it wrenched father's back much
when he stooped to a music teacher?"
The highly indignant lady was silent, for Frank had a way of reminding her
of the past, which she did not quite relish; so she let him alone,
secretly praying that he would not make a fool of himself in his choice of
a wife. He bade her be easy on that point, for 'twasn't likely he would
ever marry, for he probably would never find a wife who would suit him.
Such was Frank Cameron. Business for his father had taken him to
Louisville, and he determined to visit his cousin Kate ere he returned
home. He took passage in the Blue Wing, on board of which was Mr.
Middleton, who soon made his acquaintance. As they were bound for the same
place, they kept together, and on reaching Frankfort, went immediately to
Mrs. Crane's, where they were entertained by Mrs. Carrington, who wondered
much who the distinguished looking strangers could be. Concluding that the
older one must of course be married, she turned her attention to Frank,
who was much amused at her airs and coquettish manners. He had inquired
for Mrs. Miller, and at length Mrs. Carrington asked if she were an
acquaintance of his.