A letter for her at last! Carolyn’s heart stopped almost to death, until Kate ran back up the stairs, entered the room, and placed the letter in her hands.
“It is from Richmond,” she said, in a disappointed tone, as she opened it.
“From my Aunt Cabell,” she added, and began to read it while Kate resumed her knitting.
“I hope your friends are all well,” said Catherine.
“Yes—” replied Miss Clifton; and then a smile of amusement flitted over her face—and still running her eye down the letter, she continued—“My Aunt Cabell writes me that my excellent step-dame, Mrs. Georgia Clifton, is now the reigning belle of Richmond—the most beautiful woman, the most charming musician, the most fascinating waltzer, and the most elegant equestrian in the city! She passes for a wealthy (!) young widow—and her credit is unlimited, and her debts and her extravagance, of course, unbounded. She occupies a whole suit of rooms in the most expensive hotel in the city, and entertains around her, both day and night, a host of adoring worshipers. She has cut her father—worthy man—dead! She is going to bring down a party of ladies and gentlemen to spend Christmas at her country-seat, (!) White Cliffs. Now what do you think of that, Catherine? Pray Heaven she may marry soon, and not wear our name long enough to scandalize it! Mrs. Cabell goes on to say, that Mrs. Georgia cannot long play that game—that Archer Clifton must soon return, and take possession of his property, when it will be arrested. Alas! she does not know that Captain Clifton is as much under the dominion of that dangerous woman as it is possible to be. He will probably be proud to leave Mrs. Clifton in possession here as long as she finds it convenient or agreeable to stay. Now, what do you think of all this, Catherine?”
“Dear lady, I know that you feel very unpleasantly, that all those gay city strangers should be coming down here at Christmas, to turn the quiet house into a hall of orgies. But I do not see how you can prevent it. You can elude it, though! You can go to Hardbargain, you know, and remain until Mrs. Georgia and her guests have departed again. I would do that.”
“No, dear Catherine, there will be no necessity for that, either! My Aunt Cabell has anticipated my embarrassment, and proposed a plan. My aunt and all her family are coming down here to spend the months of October and November, while their city mansion is undergoing repairs—painting, papering, and so on. And she proposes that I shall return with her at the first of December, and pass the Winter in Richmond.”
“And will you go?”
“I do not know. But, Kate, dear, you have comforted me so much, and aunt’s account of Mrs. Georgia’s city airs has diverted me so much, that I think I have spirits for a ride. Go order the horses, and tell Dandy to be ready to attend us. We will go up to Hardbargain and take tea with Aunt Clifton, and amuse her with this letter!”