The reader will now accompany us to Geneva, one of the most beautiful
villages in Western New York. On arriving at the depot we are beset by a
host of runners, who call out lustily, "Temperance House!" "Franklin
House!" "Geneva Hotel!" "Carriage to any part of the village for a
shilling!" But we prefer walking, and passing up Water Street, and Seneca
street, we soon come to Main street, which we follow until we come to a
large, elegant mansion, the property of Judge Fulton, who is that evening
entertaining a fashionable party. No matter if we are not invited, we can
enter unperceived and note down what is taking place.
Our attention is first directed toward the judge and his accomplished
lady, who are doing the honors of the evening. As we scan their looks
closely, we are struck with their features, and we feel sure that to them
wealth was not given in vain, and that the beggar never left their door
unfed or uncared for.
Mrs. Fulton's countenance looks very familiar to us, and we wonder much
where we have seen her before, or if we never have seen her, who it is
that she so strongly reminds us of. Before we can solve the mystery, we
observe across the room a face which makes us start up and exclaim, "Is it
possible! Can that be Dr. Lacey?" A second look at the gentleman in
question convinces us that he is two inches shorter than Dr. Lacey, and
also that he wears glasses; still be bears a striking resemblance to the
doctor, and we inquire who he is. We are told that his name is Robert
Stanton. He is a graduate of Yale and a brother of Mrs. Fulton, He is
intending in a few days to start for Kentucky, in company with Frederic
Raymond, who was a classmate of his.
As we watch young Stanton's movements, we observe a certain restlessness
in his eye, as it wanders over the crowded room, seemingly in quest of
some one who is not there. At last there is a new arrival, and Miss
Warner, a very prim lady and a teacher in the seminary, is announced,
together with three of her pupils. As the young girls enter the parlor,
Mr. Stanton seems suddenly animated with new life, and we feel sure that
one of those young ladies has a great attraction for him. Nor are we
mistaken, for he soon crosses the room, and going up to one of them, a
rosy-cheeked, blue-eyed girl, he says in a low tone, "I am glad you have
come, Nellie. I had almost given you up, and concluded you were doing
penance for some misdemeanor, and so could not come out." Then taking her
upon his arm, he kept her near him all the evening.