The old man was evidently piqued at Julia's thrust at the old house. "Fix
up! A heap I'll fix up for her to be married," continued he.
"Then you'll give your consent?" said Mrs. Middleton.
"Consent! Who's asked any consent?" replied he, "and 'tain't likely they
will nuther; and if I should refuse, Tempest wouldn't mind clamberin' out
of the chimbly to run away, and the doctor has showed himself jest as
mean. No; he may have her and go to the old boy for all of Josh. But
what's this about Cameron? I hope 'tis so, but I'm mighty feared it ain't.
Sunshine can't love two at a time."
While Mr. Middleton was thus expending his fury, Fanny was alone in her
room, struggling hard to subdue the bitter feelings which were rising in
her heart. Until now she had not been aware how much she loved Dr. Lacey.
True, she had said it was impossible she could ever marry him; and she had
believed she was trying to forget him; but ever in her heart she had,
perhaps unconsciously, cherished a half formed belief that all would yet
be well, and when she refused the noble, generous heart which Frank
Cameron laid at her feet, it was with a vague hope that Dr. Lacey would
yet be hers. But now every hope was gone. "There is nothing left for me,"
said Fanny, "but woe, woe!" 'Twas fearful--the tide of sorrow which swept
over the young girl, but amid the wild storm of passion came the echo of a
still, small voice, whispering of one who loves with more than an earthly
love, who never proves faithless--never fails. Fanny listened to the
Spirit's pleadings and resolved that henceforth she would seek to place
her affections where "there is no variableness, neither shadow of
turning."
The whirlwind of excitement passed over, leaving no trace to mark its
passage, save a fixed calm expression, which a more violent demonstration
of feeling would not have done.
The week following the receipt of Julia's letter Mr. Middleton had
business which took him to Frankfort. Fanny accompanied him and remained
several days. The morning after her arrival she and Mr. Stanton were
walking upon the upper balcony at Mrs. Crane's, when they were joined by
Ashton, who had returned from New Orleans a few days before. He had always
been a frequent visitor there, but since his return, his visits had been
more frequent and of longer duration. There was to him something very
fascinating about Stanton's fair bride, and yet he always felt uneasy when
with her, for her manners and appearance reminded him of the past.