Although Mrs. Carrington had not visited Mr. Wilmot during his illness, she was by no means ignorant of Fanny’s attentions.  She had taken great pains to comment upon them in Dr. Lacey’s presence, saying, “that she had often suspected Fanny of possessing a more than ordinary affection for Mr. Wilmot, and she had sometimes thought her affection returned.  For her part, she did not blame Julia for absenting herself from him, for she had probably discovered his preference for her sister.”  Her object in doing this was to make Dr. Lacey think less favorably of Fanny, for with her practised eye she had discovered that for no other female did he feel such an interest as for “Little Fanny Middleton,” as she always termed her.

At the grave she noticed Fanny’s pale face and swollen eyes, and found occasion to say to her, loud enough for Dr. Lacey to hear, “I am astonished, Fanny, to see you show to the world how much you loved your sister’s betrothed.”

This remark had no effect upon Fanny, except causing her to look at Mrs. Carrington in surprise and to wonder what she meant.  With Dr. Lacey it was different.  Imperceptibly, “Little Fanny Middleton” had won a place in his heart which no other one had ever possessed.  At first he admired her for her frank, confiding nature, and afterward he learned to love her for the many lovely traits of her character.  He had thought it perfectly natural that she should feel a great interest in Mr. Wilmot, who was for so long a time a member of her father’s family; but the wrong construction which was put upon her motives annoyed him, and even made him fearful that her heart might be more interested in Mr. Wilmot than he was willing to believe.  As he stood by the open grave into which the cold earth was heavily falling, there rested upon his brow a deeper shade of sadness than was occasioned by the mere death of his friend.  Mrs. Carrington observed it, and resolved to follow up the train of thought which she saw was awakened in his mind.

After the burial Kate returned to Mrs. Crane’s, where she was treated with every possible attention which politeness or sympathy could dictate.  A few days after the funeral she one evening casually asked, if that fair, delicate-looking girl at her brother’s grave were not Miss Middleton?

“Yes,” replied Mrs. Carrington.  “Did you not think from her manner that she was a sincere mourner?”

Kate was about to reply, when Dr. Lacey prevented her by saying, “Pardon me, Mrs. Carrington; but I think you have given Miss Wilmot a wrong impression.  She doubtless thinks it was Miss Julia Middleton.”

“Yes,” said Kate, “I thought it was Miss Julia.”