Mrs. Cameron’s first emotion, on beholding Fanny and the flattering attentions she everywhere received, was one of intense mortification, to think she had not been first to notice and chaperone her.  “I will, however, make all possible amends now,” thought she, and finding Frank she desired for herself and Gertrude an introduction to Miss Middleton; but Frank did not feel disposed to grant his mother’s request immediately, and he said, “Pardon me, mother, but you see Miss Middleton is very much engaged at present with some of her friends, so you must wait awhile.”

Mrs. Cameron was too proud to ask any one else to introduce her, and it seemed that she and Gertrude were not likely to make Fanny’s acquaintance at all.  Toward the close of the party, however, Frank thought proper to introduce them.  Mrs. Cameron determined to do her best, and she overwhelmed Fanny with so much flattery, that the poor girl longed for some way of escape, thinking to herself, “Is it possible that Frank Cameron’s mother is such a silly woman?” Once Mrs. Cameron went so far as to hint the probability that Miss Middleton would one day be her daughter.

“What can she possibly mean?” thought Fanny; at the same time gracefully excusing herself she ran upstairs after her shawl and veil, as Kate had signified her intention of returning home.  But Mrs. Cameron was not to be thus foiled.  She started in pursuit, and reaching the bonnet room as soon as Fanny, insisted that she and Kate should stop with her during the remainder of her stay in the city.  As Frank soon appeared and joined his entreaties with those of his mother, Fanny said she would do just as Mrs. Miller thought proper.  Kate, who had expected a similar denouement, expressed her perfect willingness to visit at her uncle’s.

Accordingly, the next morning they left their rooms at the Astor House and repaired to Mrs. Cameron’s, where they were most affectionately received by Mrs. Cameron and Gertrude.  And now commenced a series of toadyism which was vastly amusing to their acquaintances, many of whom had witnessed Mrs. Cameron’s manner at the party and had since learned a part of the story.  It was strange how soon Mrs. Cameron and Gertrude discovered how many fine qualities Fanny possessed.  Even the “odious scarecrow of a father” was transformed into an “odd old gentleman,” and in speaking of him to one of her acquaintances, Mrs. Cameron said “he was a very generous, wealthy, but eccentric old man, and was one of the first citizens in Frankfort.”  The good lady forgot that Uncle Joshua did not reside in Frankfort, but twelve miles from that city!  Her word, however, was not questioned, for of course she would know all about the family of her son’s intended wife.

Meanwhile the report of Frank’s engagement was circulated freely, and the whole matter would undoubtedly have been arranged, marriage ceremony and all, had not Frank put an end to the matter by utterly denying the story.  Some young gentlemen were one morning congratulating him on his future prospects, and declaring their intention of going to Kentucky, if there were any more Fannys there, when Frank asked upon whose authority they were repeating a story for which there was no foundation.