When at last she was ready she descended to the parlor, and sitting down to her piano ran her fingers lightly over the keys.  At that moment Frank Cameron entered.  He had learned from his cousin, Kate, enough of Fanny’s history to make him fear that she never could be aught to him; and yet the knowledge that he could not, must not, hope to win her, only rendered the attraction stronger.  He was intending to start for home the next day, and had now come to spend a few minutes alone with Fanny ere he bade her good-by.  As he entered the room she ceased playing, and said, “I believe you leave town tomorrow, do you not?”

“I do,” replied Frank, “and am come to bid you good-by now; for when you return I shall probably be looking on the dust, smoke and chimneys of the Empire City.”  As Fanny made no answer, Frank continued, “Miss Middleton, we shall meet again, I trust.  Kate tells me that you are to accompany them to New York this summer.  I shall expect you and shall watch anxiously for your coming.”

Fanny replied, “I have thought of going North with Mrs. Miller, but it is possible I may be disappointed.”

“Disappointed!” repeated Frank; “you must not be disappointed, or disappoint me either.  I would hardly be willing to leave Frankfort if I did not hope to see you again.  And yet if we never do meet, I shall know that I am a better man for having once seen and known you; and I shall look back upon the few days spent in Kentucky as upon one of the bright spots in my life.”

We do not know what Fanny would have replied; for ere she had time to answer Julia appeared in the door, calling out, “Come, Fan, the carriage is ready.  But, pray excuse me,” continued she, as she saw Frank, “I had no idea that I was interrupting so interesting a conversation as your looks seem to indicate.”

This increased Fanny’s confusion, but she endeavored to appear at ease; and rising up, she offered Frank her hand, saying, “I must bid you farewell, Mr. Cameron.”

Frank took her hand, and quick as thought raised it to his lips.  Fanny’s cheeks reddened as she hastily withdrew her hand, saying rather indignantly, “Mr. Cameron, I am surprised!”

Frank expected as much, and he said, rather gayly, “Pardon me, Miss Middleton, I could not help it, and would not if I could.  It is all I ever hope to receive from you; and years hence, when I am a lone, lorn old bachelor, I shall love to think of the morning when I bade good-by to and kissed Fanny Middleton.”

A moment more and the carriage drove rapidly away.  Frank watched it until it disappeared down the street; then turning away, he thought, “I have met and parted with the only person on earth who has power to awaken in me any deeper feeling than that of respect.”

When Julia and Fanny reached home, they were greeted kindly by both their parents and uncle.  The latter had resolved to watch them closely, in order to ascertain, if possible, the reason of his brother’s evident preference for Fanny.  During the morning nothing was said of the projected visit to New Orleans; and Julia was becoming very impatient, but she knew better than to broach the subject herself; so she was obliged to wait.