Mr. Wilmot gave her permission to take her seat, which she readily did, wondering why it was that she always managed to do something which made her appear ridiculous, just when she wanted to appear the best.  Her mishap gave secret pleasure to Julia, who delighted to have Fanny appear as badly as possible, and she felt particularly pleased when she saw that Fanny’s strange ride had scattered all the ideas from her head, for the afternoon’s lessons were but little better recited than the morning, and at its close Julia gave her a look of malicious triumph, which Mr. Miller observing, said, as if apologising for Fanny, that he was sure that she had every word of her lesson before recess, but it was no wonder she was somewhat disconcerted at the unexpected termination of her ride.  Fanny smiled gratefully upon him through her tears, which she could not restrain; but her tears were like April showers—­they did not last long, and that night, at the supper table, when Mr. Miller related her adventure to her father, she joined as gayly as any one in the laugh which followed.

Julia was much displeased to think that Fanny’s “ridiculous conduct,” as she called it, should be told of and laughed at as if it were something amusing.  She was anxious, too, that Mr. Miller should draw his visit to a close, but as he did not seem inclined to do so, she resolved to make the most of it, and give him a few new ideas.  She knew that Fanny had ever been his favorite and she very naturally supposed that the reason of his preference was because he thought she possessed a very lovely, amiable disposition.  She determined to make him think otherwise, and set herself at work to execute a plan, which fully showed the heartless deception which almost always characterized her actions.

Fortune seemed to favor her, for after supper her father and mother announced their intention of spending the evening at one of the neighbors’, and soon after they left Mr. Wilmot, who had letters to write, retired to his room, together with Mr. Miller.  As soon as they were gone Julia repaired to the negro quarters and, by dint of threats, flattery and promises of reward, finally prevailed upon Luce to join with her in her dark plot.  They then went to Julia’s sleeping room and carefully opened the closet door, so that every word of their conversation could be heard in the adjoining room.

Julia’s voice was strangely like her sister’s, and by means of imitating her she hoped to deceive both Mr. Wilmot and Mr. Miller, who were startled by a loud, angry voice, exclaiming, “Come, you black imp, no more lies, you know you’ve stolen it, so just confess, and tell me where it is.”

The young gentlemen looked at each other in surprise, for the voice was like Fanny’s, and yet it was so unnatural for her to be in such a passion that they thought it impossible.  Their fears were, however, soon confirmed by Luce, who said, “Oh, Miss Fanny, Lor’ knows I never tached it.  Now, sartin I knows nothin’ ’bout it.”