“There, that will do,” said she, as Jane clasped the last diamond bracelet on her arm.  “I presume this Fanny Middleton has never dreamed of so costly a dress as I shall appear in tonight.”

Meanwhile in another part of the city, another toilet was being made, but of a different nature.  Kate and Frank both were anxious that for once Fanny should deviate from her usually simple style of dress, and adopt something more in keeping with her father’s wealth.  At first Fanny hesitated, but was finally persuaded, and gave Kate permission to select for her anything she chose.

As, on the evening of the party, she glanced at the image which her mirror reflected, she was pardonable for feeling a slight thrill of pleasure.  Frank was in raptures, declaring nothing had ever been seen in New York so perfectly lovely.  And truly, Fanny was beautiful as she stood there arrayed for the party.

She was dressed in a French robe of white tarlatan, embroidered in boquets of lilies of the valley in silver.  A single japonica rested among the curls of her bright hair, while her neck was encircled by a necklace of pearls, and costly bracelets of the same clasped her white, slender wrists.

“Why, Fanny,” said Mr. Miller, “how beautiful you look.  What would your father say could he see you now?”

At the mention of her father’s name the teardrops glistened for a moment in Fanny’s eye, and she felt how gladly she would have foregone all the expected pleasure of that night for the pleasure of again seeing her distant father.  She, however, dashed the tears away, and replied, “I fear he would think his Sunshine wholly covered up and spoiled by trumpery, as he calls fashionable dress.”

Frank noticed her emotion when speaking of her father, and he thought how priceless must be the love of one who thus so truly honored her parents.  A feeling of sadness was blended with his admiration of Fanny, for constantly in his heart was the knowledge that she never would be his.  And here Frank showed how truly noble he was, for he could still love and cling to Fanny, although he knew that for him there was no hope.

Let us now transport our readers to the elegant residence of Judge Fulton, which was situated upon Fifth Avenue.  Stanton, with his fair bride, had returned from visiting his parents near Geneva, and now in the large parlors of Judge Fulton, they were receiving the congratulations of their friends, whose numbers each moment increased, until the rooms were filled to overflowing.  Frank and his party had not yet arrived.  He designed to be late, for he well knew his mother and sister would not be early, and he wished to give them the full benefit of Fanny’s introduction into the drawing room.

But a part of his scheme was frustrated, for his mother, who was suffering with a violent headache, was obliged to remain above stairs for a time, and Gertrude alone witnessed her brother’s triumph.  She was standing near Mr. and Mrs. Stanton, carelessly twirling a costly boquet, which one of her obsequious beaux had given her, when she overheard Nellie say to her husband, “I do hope she will come, for I am all impatience to see one whom you have praised until I am half jealous.”