Letters came now and then from Mrs. Ross, Gertrude or Kate, telling of
their gay life at Saratoga.
The girls seemed to have no lack of gentlemen admirers; among whom was a
Mr. Larrabee from St. Louis, who was particularly attentive to Gertrude.
At length it was announced that they were engaged.
It was now the last of August. The wedding was to take place about the
middle of October, and as the intervening six weeks would barely afford
time for the preparation of the trousseau, the ladies hurried home to New
York.
Then Kate came down to spend a week with the Travillas.
She looked fagged and worn, complained of ennui, was already wearied of
the life she had been leading, and had lost all taste for simple
pleasures.
Her faded cheek and languid air, presented a strange contrast to the
fresh, bright beauty and animation of Elsie and Violet, a contrast that
pained the kind, motherly heart of Mrs. Travilla, who would have been glad
to make all the world as happy as she and her children were.
Elsie and Vi felt a lively interest in Gertrude's prospects, and had many
questions to ask about her betrothed;--"Was he young? was he handsome? was
he a good man? But, oh _that_ was of course.
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