Julia well knew that the fact of Dr. Lacey’s being a stranger was of no consequence in Mrs. Carrington’s estimation, but she quickly answered, “Yes, I do; but what can be done now?”

“Oh,” said Mrs. Carrington, “your sister is very gentle and if we go to her and state the case as it is, I am confident she will yield.”

So they went to Fanny’s room, where they found her sitting by the window, thinking how much pleasure she would enjoy that night.

Julia commenced operations by saying, “Fanny, what made you promise Dr. Lacey that you would go with him tonight?”

“Why,” said Fanny, “was there anything wrong in it?”

Here Mrs. Carrington’s soft voice chimed in, “Nothing very wrong, dear Fanny, but it is hardly proper for a young school girl to appear in public, attended by a gentleman who is not her brother or cousin.”

Poor Fanny!  Her heart sank, for she was afraid she would have to give up going after all; but a thought struck her, and she said, “Well, then, it is not proper for Julia to go with Mr. Wilmot, and she has promised to do so.”

“That is very different,” said Mrs. Carrington; “Julia is engaged to Mr. Wilmot, and unless you are engaged to Dr. Lacey,” continued she, sarcastically, “it will not be proper at all for you to go with him.”

“But I promised I would,” said Fanny.

“That you can easily remedy,” answered Mrs. Carrington.  “Just write him a note and I will send it to him.”

Thus beset, poor Fanny sat down and wrote, as Mrs. Carrington dictated, the following note: 

“Dr. Lacey: 

“Sir—­Upon further reflection I think it proper to decline your polite invitation for tonight.

“Yours very respectfully,

“FannyMiddleton.”

“That will do,” said Mrs. Carrington; and ringing the bell, she dispatched a servant to carry the note to Dr. Lacey.

“You are a good girl to submit so readily,” said Mrs. Carrington, laying her white hand on Fanny’s head.  But Fanny’s eyes were full of tears, and she did not answer; and Mrs. Carrington, sure of Dr. Lacey’s attendance that evening, left the room exulting in the result of her plan.  In a short time she deserted to the parlor, where she found Mr. Wilmot with Julia, but no Dr. Lacey, neither did he make his appearance at all, and after waiting impatiently for a time, she was at last obliged to accept the arm of the poor pedagogue, which was rather unwillingly offered, for Mr. Wilmot greatly preferred having Julia all to himself.  She had become as dear to him as his own life and, in his opinion, her character was like her face—­perfect.  Deluded man!  ’Twas well that he died before he had come to a knowledge of her sinfulness.

But to return to Fanny.  After she was left alone by her sister, she threw herself upon the sofa, and burst into tears; but at length, wiping them away, she arose and went down to the parlor, determined to have a nice time practicing her music lesson.  It was rather hard and with untiring patience she played it over and over, until she was suddenly startled by a voice behind her, saying, “Really, Miss Fanny, you are persevering.”  Looking up she saw Dr. Lacey, who had entered unperceived.