"Perhaps not; for I care not a straw for Richard Roe, or John
Doe, either."
"Would you really like to see the account which this newcomer gives of himself?" asked Hazlehurst.
"Certainly; I speak seriously, I assure you."
"You shall see it this evening," said Harry. "I think you will agree with me, that it is a strange story."
"But, Mrs. Creighton," said Mr. Wyllys, "we have had our heads so full of law, and conspiracies, and impostors, lately, that I was in hopes you would bring us something more agreeable to think and talk about. What were the people doing at Nahant when you left there?"
"It was very dull there; at least I thought so; I was in a great hurry for Frank to bring me away."
"What was wanting, pray?" asked Mr. Wyllys. "Was it the fault of the weather, the water, or the company?"
"Of all together, sir; nothing was of the right kind; it was not half so pleasant as Saratoga this year. Even the flirtations were not as amusing as usual."
"I should have thought you might have been amused in some other way," said Mr. Ellsworth.
"Flirtation, I would have you believe, my good brother, is sometimes quite an agreeable and exciting pastime."