Just then Mr. Miller, with his wife upon his arm, approached the spot
where the doctor was standing, and said, "Why, doctor, what has happened?
You look almost as happy as I feel. And little Fanny, too, is really
looking quite rosy. I should not be surprised if my wedding should be a
prelude to another."
Julia could hear no more, but sick with anger, she turned away, heartily
wishing Mr. Miller was in California digging gold with the water six feet
deep all around him! When the company began to disperse Dr. Lacey
whispered to Fanny that he wished her to remain a few moments, as he had
something to say to her. Accordingly, after the parlor was deserted, he
drew her to the sofa and placing his arm around her, told her of the plan
which he had marked out for her improvement during the next two years. To
all that he required Fanny promised a cheerful compliance, and he
proceeded to tell her how he would in the meantime beautify his Southern
home, and fill it up with every luxury which could please a refined,
delicate female. By the time he had finished Fanny was weeping from excess
of happiness.
"It seems so strange," said she, "that you should prefer me to any one
else, me, who am so plain looking, so--"
"So pure-minded and innocent," interrupted Dr. Lacey, "and so lovely, too,
for to me you are very handsome. Not as beautiful, perhaps, as Mrs.
Miller, for there are few who are, and yet I like your looks quite as
well."
Fanny did not reply; after a moment's silence he said, "Fanny, I shall be
obliged to go to New Orleans soon."
"Go to New Orleans," said Fanny. "Oh, no, don't."
"But I must," answered he. "Business of importance calls me there."
"How soon must you go?"
"In two weeks," he replied.
"And how long will you be gone?"
"Probably three months," he answered. "But I shall write to you often;
twice a week, perhaps, and you will find enough to do to answer my letters
and attend to your studies, besides practicing your music lessons. By the
way, Fanny, I wish you to pay particular attention to music, for you know
I am very fond of it."
Fanny promised that she would, and they separated for the night. While
Fanny was going to her room, she determined she would tell Julia all her
future prospects; but she found her sister either asleep or pretending to
be (the latter was the fact); so she said nothing, but lay down without
disturbing her. She could not sleep, however, and toward morning Julia
called out, in no very gentle tones, "Do lie still, Fan, or else get up
and go down in the parlor and have another tete-a-tete with Dr. Lacey."