Dr. Lacey replied that it was Fanny—­Julia’s younger sister; and then he told how faithfully she had watched over Mr. Wilmot during his illness.  Of Julia he said nothing, and although Kate wished very much to know something concerning her, she determined not to question Dr. Lacey, but to wait and ask Mr. Miller, who, for some reason, seemed nearer to her than any other one of the strangers by whom she was surrounded.  He had been solicited to take charge of the school, which was now destitute of a teacher, and as the situation pleased him, he readily accepted the offer and accepted Mrs. Crane’s as his boarding place.  Perhaps one inducement which led him to do this was the presence of the beautiful Kate, in whom he daily became more interested.

Years before, when but a boy in the boarding school at Canandaigua, he had often fancied that the time would come when he should both see and know the sister whom Richard Wilmot used to describe in such glowing terms.  Since then another image had filled his heart and he had dreamed of another face—­not so fair, perhaps, but quite as innocent.  But now the dream was sadly over, and he had never thought of the gentle Fanny for a wife since that night when, as he supposed, he saw the dark side of her character.  He, however, could not conquer his old partiality, and always spoke of her in the highest terms.  Consequently, from his description of her, Kate received a very favorable impression.

He said little of Julia; but told Kate that he would take her to Mr. Middleton’s the first fine day.  He wished to go there in order to induce Mrs. Middleton to send her daughters back to school.  The next Saturday was fixed upon for the visit, and at an early hour Mr. Miller and Kate were on their way to Mr. Middleton’s.

Kate Wilmot was not only handsome, but was also very intelligent and agreeable, and by the time their ride was half-completed, Mr. Miller was more than half in love and was building air castles just as he had done months before when Fanny was mistress of them all.

About noon they reached Mr. Middleton’s, where they were received very kindly by Mrs. Middleton, very joyfully by Fanny, and very coldly by Julia, whose face always wore a darker frown whenever Mr. Miller was present; but he apparently did not notice it, and went on conversing upon different subjects.  At last he asked when Mr. Middleton was expected home.

“I am expecting him every day,” said Mrs. Middleton, “and,” she added in a lower tone, “I almost dread to have him come, for I do not know that he has ever heard a word of Richard’s illness and death.”

“Why, have you never written to him?” asked Mr. Miller.

“Yes,” replied she; “but it is so uncertain as to what place he is in, or how long he will remain there, that it is doubtful whether he ever received the letter.  We heard from him a few days ago.  He was then in Indiana, and as he said nothing about Mr. Wilmot, I presume he has not heard of his death.”