It was not what she had expected, and she hardly knew what to say, though, of course, “she should acquiesce in whatever Alice and ’Lina thought best.” “If she’s going, I hope she’ll go before Dr. Richards sees her, though perhaps he knows her already—his mother lives in Snowdon,” ’Lina thought, and rather abruptly she asked if Alice knew Dr. Richards, who was staying at the Union. Alice blushed crimson as she replied, “Yes, I know him well, and his family, too. “His mother is here,” ’Lina continued, “and I like her so much. She is very familiar and friendly, don’t you think so?” Alice would not tell a lie, and she answered frankly, “She does not bear that name in Snowdon. They consider her very haughty there. I think you must be a favorite.” “Are they very aristocratic and wealthy?” ’Lina asked, and Alice answered, “Aristocratic, but not wealthy. They were very kind to me, and the doctor’s sister Anna is one of the sweetest ladies I ever knew.” Then as if anxious to change the conversation she spoke of _Hugh_. Where was he now? How did he look, and should she like him? ’Lina and her mother exchanged rapid glances, and then, in spite of the look of entreaty visible on Mrs. Worthington’s face, ’Lina replied, “To be candid with you, Miss Johnson, I’m afraid you won’t like Hugh. He has many good traits, but I’m sorry to say we have never succeeded in cultivating him one particle, so that he is very rough and boorish in his manner, and will undoubtedly strike you unfavorably. I may as well tell you of this, as you will probably hear it from Ellen Tiffton, and must know it when you see him. He is not popular with the ladies; he hates them all, unless it is a Mrs. Hastings, whom he took in from the street.” Alice looked up inquiringly, while ’Lina began to tell her of Adah. She had not proceeded far, however, when with a cry of terror she sprang up as a large beetle, attracted by the light, fastened itself upon her hair. Mrs. Worthington was the first to the rescue, while Lulu, who had listened with flashing eye when _Hugh_ was the subject of remark, came haggardly, whispering slily to Alice, “That’s a lie she done tell you about Mas’r Hugh. He ain’t rough nor bad, and we blacks would die for him any day.” Alice was confounded by this flat contradiction between mistress and servant, while a faint glimmer of the truth began to dawn upon her. The “horn-bug” being disposed of, ’Lina became quiet, and might, perhaps, have taken up Hugh again, but for a timely interruption in the shape of Irving Stanley, who had walked up to the Columbian, and seeing ’Lina and her mother through the window, sauntered leisurely into the parlor. “Ah, Mr. Stanley,” and ’Lina half rose from her chair thus intimating that he was to join them. “Miss Johnson, Mr. Stanley,” and she watched jealously to see what effect Alice’s beauty would have upon the young man.