After reflecting some time upon the matter, he resolved not to assent to his family leaving home at all during the summer.
All except Florence were exceedingly distressed at this.

She acquiesced with gentleness and patience, although she had much desired to spend a few weeks at Saratoga.

But Mrs.Ludlow, Emily, and Adeline, closed up the front part of the house, and gave directions to the servants not to answer the door bell, nor to do anything that would give the least suspicion that the family were in town.

Then ensconcing themselves in the back buildings of their dwelling, they waited in gloomy indolence for the "out of the city" season to pass away; consoling themselves with the idea, that if they were not permitted to join the fashionables at the Springs, it would at lest be supposed that they had gone some where into the country, and thus they hoped to escape the terrible penalty of losing _caste_ for not conforming to an indispensable rule of high life.
Mr.Ludlow was compelled to submit to all this, and he did so without much opposition; but it all determined him to commence a steady opposition to the false principles which prompted such absurd observances.

As to Uncle Joseph, he was indignant, and failing to gain admittance by way of the front door after one or two trials, determined not to go near his sister and nieces, a promise which he kept for a few weeks, at least.
Meantime, every thing was passing off pleasantly at Saratoga.