Let us now go back for a few weeks and watch Julia's plot as it
progresses. We have learned from Fanny that four letters arrived from Dr.
Lacey; but the fifth she was destined never to receive. She was expecting
it on Tuesday and was about going to the post office, when Julia said,
"Fanny, I feel just like walking this morning; suppose you let me run
round to the post office and get your expected letter."
"Very well," answered Fanny; "but don't be gone long."
"I won't," said Julia, gaily. "You sit down by the window and when I come
round the corner on my return home. I will hold up your letter, and you
will know you have one at least a minute before I reach home."
So saying she departed, and Fanny sat down by the window to await her
return. For several days past there had been a change in Julia's
deportment. She was very amiable and kind to the household in general and
to Fanny in particular. This was a part of her plan, so that in the
catastrophe that was about to follow, she might not be suspected of foul
play.
At first Fanny was surprised at her affectionate advances, but it was so
pleasant to have a sister who would love her that she did not ask the
reason of so sudden a change, and when Julia very humbly asked forgiveness
for all her former unkindness, the innocent-hearted Fanny burst into
tears, and declared she had nothing to forgive, if her sister would only
continue to love her always. Julia placed a Judas-like kiss on Fanny's
pure brow, and gave a promise that she would try to be good; but she
thought to herself, "this seeming change will make a favorable impression
on Dr. Lacey when he hears of it."
She knew that Fanny was expecting a letter on the Tuesday morning of which
we have spoken, and fearing that by some means Mr. Dunn might fail of
securing it, she determined to go herself for the mail. When she reached
the post office the sinister smile with which Mr. Dunn greeted her assured
her that he had something for her, and she readily conjectured that it was
Fanny's expected letter.
"Good morning, Mr. Dunn!" said she. "Anything for me this morning?"
"Yes, ma'am," answered Dunn, with a very low bow; and casting a furtive
glance around to make sure that no one saw him, he drew from his pocket a
letter, on which Julia instantly recognized Dr. Lacey's handwriting. She
took it and placed it in the pocket of her dress.