Dr. Lacey answered in the affirmative, and Mr. Middleton continued, "I am
told by Miss Woodburn that they are very beautiful, especially one of
them, and quite accomplished. Is it so?"
Dr. Lacey replied very calmly, "The world, I believe, unites in calling
Miss Julia beautiful."
"But what of the other one?" asked Mr. Middleton. "I am prepossessed in
her favor, for she bears the name of the only sister I ever had."
Dr. Lacey sighed, for he remembered the time when he was drawn toward
Fanny, because he fancied she resembled the only sister he ever had. Mr.
Middleton observed it, and immediately said, "Does it make you sigh just
to mention Fanny? What is the matter? Has she jilted you? If she has, she
does not partake of the nature of the Middletons, for they could never
stoop to deceit."
Here Florence came to Dr. Lacey's relief by saying, "Why, Dr. Lacey, Mr.
Middleton wants you to repeat what I have already told him, that Julia is
exceedingly beautiful and that Fanny is as lovely as a Houri, and has the
saddest, sweetest face I ever saw, and the softest, mildest blue eye."
Dr. Lacey laughingly said, "Thank you, Miss Florence; Mr. Middleton will
please take what you have said as my opinion concerning his fair nieces."
Mr. Middleton bowed and then said, "How does my brother appear? He used to
be very rough and abrupt in his manner."
Dr. Lacey laughed. He could not help it. His risible faculties were always
excited when he thought of Joshua Middleton, and he answered, that
although he highly esteemed Mr. Middleton, he feared his manners were not
much improved.
"I dare say not," said the brother. "When he was at home, he was always
saying things which our mother called 'impolite,' our father 'outlandish,'
and the blacks 'right down heathenish.' However, with all his roughness, I
believe there never was a more truly honorable man, or a more sincere
friend."
After a few moments of general conversation, Mr. Middleton said, turning
to Dr. Lacey, "I feel some anxiety about this summer residence which I
intend purchasing. I am told that you have fine taste both in selecting a
good locality and in laying out grounds. If you have leisure, suppose you
accompany me on my exploring excursion, and I will reward you by an
invitation to spend as much time with me as you like after my nieces
arrive."
Dr. Lacey thanked Mr. Middleton for the compliment paid to his taste, and
he politely expressed his willingness to assist his friend in the
selection of a country seat. "By the way," continued he, "you are stopping
at the St. Charles, I believe. Suppose you exchange your rooms at the
hotel for a home with me, and become my guest until you leave the city for
Kentucky?"