This arrangement gave great pleasure to Dr. Lacey, who found it very lonely in Frankfort without Fanny, and had several times spoken of returning to New Orleans.  But when he learned that Fanny was coming back, he suddenly changed his mind and concluded that Frankfort would be a charming winter residence.  This was laughingly told to Fanny by Kate, who had learned to love her very much.  Julia she disliked, for she had at last drawn from Mr. Miller the whole history of her proceedings, and she could but look upon the false-hearted girl as accessory to her brother’s death.

Julia knew that by the fair Northern beauty she was secretly despised, but she did not care, for she had conceived a great friendship for Mrs. Carrington, whom she often amused with her remarks about New York people.  Once she said, “I do wish New York would die, or stop taking emetics, and sending the contents of her bilious stomach to Kentucky in the shape of teachers!”

Mrs. Carrington smiled and said, “I think you prefer Louisiana emetics, do you not?”

Julia blushed as she answered, “Yes, but what can I do.  There’s Mr. Miller ready to back up whatever Fanny does, and put down whatever I do.  I’d thank him to mind his own business, and stay at his own home!”

Mrs. Carrington did not reply, for she, too, was greatly annoyed by the presence of Mr. Miller and Kate.  The latter she looked upon as a rival, for she was said by every one to have the most beautiful face in Frankfort.  This greatly displeased Mrs. Carrington, who, before Kate’s arrival, had been considered the belle of the town, so far as beauty was concerned.  She also felt great contempt for Kate’s occupation as a teacher, and said, “She didn’t see why folks should make such an ado over a poor music teacher.”

Once, in speaking on the subject to Dr. Lacey, she said, “I am glad I was not born in New York, for then I should have been obliged to pick up chips, split wood, dig potatoes, wash dishes and teach school!”

Dr. Lacey’s reply to this remark was, “I think, Mrs. Carrington, you will admit that the young ladies who come here from the North almost always possess superior education.  Now if they spent much time in splitting wood and digging potatoes, I am sure they could not acquire so much knowledge.”

Mrs. Carrington answered, “Of course you feel interested in New Yorkers, for Fanny has taken a great fancy to them, and whatever she likes you must like, of course.”

“Yes, I know Fanny likes our New York friends very much,” said Dr. Lacey.  “And I think you will allow that she shows good taste in the choice of her associates.”

“Oh, yes, admirable,” returned Mrs. Carrington, “almost as good taste as some of my acquaintance show in preferring her.”

“What do you mean?” asked Dr. Lacey.

“Why, I mean,” said Mrs. Carrington, “that I am puzzled to know what attraction such a simple-minded girl as Fanny can have for a person of your intelligence.”