I, for
one, am a very skeptic on this subject of manly dislike growing out of
female susceptibility, and usually take the conservative view of the
question.
During one of these condescending visits of the "Lady Anastasia," whose
position toward Bainrothe I perfectly comprehended, through the
inadvertence, it may be remembered, of Mrs. Clayton, I ventured to ask
her whether she had met with her betrothed, as she had expected to do on
landing at New York, and when her marriage was to take place.
"Whenever you come out of this retirement, dear; not before. You see I
have set my heart on 'aving you for my bridesmaid, with your friends'
permission."
"Then Mr. Bainrothe has concluded to annul the condition of my marriage
before leaving the asylum."
"Oh, I had forgotten about that! Well, we will have the ceremony
performed together, if you prefer; down in Dr. Englehart's
drawing-rooms."
"You reside here, then?" I questioned; "you are at home in this house,
whosesoever it may be?"
"Oh, no, you quite misunderstand me. I am staying with friends, and Mr.
Bainrothe is over at home with his son and daughter-in-law"--with a jerk
of her head in the right direction--"in the other city, I mean; I am
such a stranger I. forget names sometimes. This, you know, is solely
Dr. Englehart's establishment."
"I suppose that gentleman is absent, as I have not seen him lately," I
continued.
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