Gertrude started up in surprise. "Do you really mean so, Mr. Arnold? Mr. Graham married! When? To whom?"
"To the widow Holbrook, a sister-in-law of Mr. Clinton's; she has been staying at Havanna, with a party from the north, and the Grahams met her there."
"But, Gertrude," asked Mr. Arnold, "how does it happen you have not heard of it? It is in all the newspapers—'Married in New Orleans, J. H. Graham, Esq., to Mrs. Holbrook.'"
"I have not seen a newspaper for a day or two," replied Gertrude.
"And Miss Graham's blindness, I suppose, prevents her writing," said Anne; "but I thought Mr. Graham would send wedding compliments."
Gertrude made no reply, and Miss Arnold said, "I suppose his bride engrosses all his attention."
"Do you know anything of this Mrs. Holbrook?" asked Gertrude.
"Not much," answered Mr. Arnold. "I have seen her occasionally at Mr. Clinton's. She is a handsome, showy woman, fond of society, I should think."
"I have seen her very often," said Anne. "She is a coarse, noisy, dashing person, just the one to make Miss Emily miserable."
Gertrude looked distressed, and Mr. Arnold glanced reprovingly at her. "Anne," said he, "are you sure you speak advisedly?"