BELLEGARDE

Miss Virginia Carvel came down the steps in her riding-habit.  And Ned, who had been waiting in the street with the horses, obsequiously held his hand while his young mistress leaped into Vixen’s saddle.  Leaving the darkey to follow upon black Calhoun, she cantered off up the street, greatly to the admiration of the neighbor.  They threw open their windows to wave at her, but Virginia pressed her lips and stared straight ahead.  She was going out to see the Russell girls at their father’s country place on Bellefontaine Road, especially to proclaim her detestation for a certain young Yankee upstart.  She had unbosomed herself to Anne Brinsmade and timid Eugenie Renault the day before.

It was Indian summer, the gold and purple season of the year.  Frost had come and gone.  Wasps were buzzing confusedly about the eaves again, marvelling at the balmy air, and the two Misses Russell, Puss and Emily, were seated within the wide doorway at needlework when Virginia dismounted at the horseblock.

“Oh, Jinny, I’m so glad to see you,” said Miss Russell.  “Here’s Elise Saint Simon from New Orleans.  You must stay all day and to-night.”

“I can’t, Puss,” said Virginia, submitting impatiently to Miss Russell’s warm embrace.  She was disappointed at finding the stranger.  “I only came —­to say that I am going to have a birthday party in a few weeks.  You must be sure to come, and bring your guest.”

Virginia took her bridle from Ned, and Miss Russell’s hospitable face fell.

“You’re not going?” she said.

“To Bellegarde for dinner,” answered Virginia.

“But it’s only ten o’clock,” said Puss.  “And, Jinny?”

“Yes.”

“There’s a new young man in town, and they do say his appearance is very striking—­not exactly handsome, you know, but strong-looking.”

“He’s horrid!” said Virginia.  “He’s a Yankee.”

“How do you know?” demanded Puss and Emily in chorus.

“And he’s no gentleman,” said Virginia.

“But how do you know, Jinny?”

“He’s an upstart.”

“Oh.  But he belongs to a very good Boston family, they say.”

“There are no good Boston families,” replied Virginia, with conviction, as she separated her reins.  “He has proved that.  Who ever heard of a good Yankee family?”

“What has he done to you, Virginia?” asked Puss, who had brains.

Virginia glanced at the guest.  But her grievance was too hot within her for suppression.

Do you remember Mr. Benbow’s Hester, girls?  The one I always said I wanted.  She was sold at auction yesterday.  Pa and I were passing the Court House, with Clarence, when she was put up for sale.  We crossed the street to see what was going on, and there was your strong-looking Yankee standing at the edge of the crowd.  I am quite sure that he saw me as plainly as I see you, Puss Russell.”