"Ay, indeed. I've heard say old loves were hard to forget; but I suppose new ones will obliterate them if anything will."
By this time the attention of the group was drawn to them.
"Do you ever hear from your old Aunt Patty, now?" he continued, in the same bold, familiar manner.
Annie was startled to hear these words from one who was a stranger to her; but as so many eyes were on them, she thought best to answer courteously, and said, "I do sir, frequently."
"Does she live there in the old rock heap at Scraggiewood, and tell fortunes and bewitch sitting hens yet?"
"Sir!" exclaimed Sheldon, "how dare you thus insult a lady in company?"
"O, be cool, my good fellow! I never yet heard it was an insult to inquire after one's honest relations, and I've done nothing more, as this lady I'm sure will admit. I can perhaps give you some information respecting your former lover, George Wild, Miss Evalyn," he continued; "he is good and true yet."
A scream from Annie arrested his words. She had fainted. Sheldon bore her from the room amidst a buzz of voices, in which Sumpter's was loudest, declaring he "did not mean to embarrass the young lady. He did not know but what they were all acquainted with her early history."
Sheldon did not rejoin the company, and during the remainder of the evening Sumpter disseminated an exaggerated account of Annie's low birth and disgraceful parentage among the guests. The tale found too many willing ears; and Annie was pronounced a vile, artful deceiver, by those who envied her talents and beauty.
CHAPTER XII.