And so the conference ended.  When Dr. Lacey re-entered the parlor Fanny read success in his face.  In a short time he managed to get near her, and bending down, whispered to her, “My own dear Fanny, forever.”  At these words a beautiful flush suffused Fanny’s usually pale cheek.  It was noticed by Julia, who was watching the doctor and her sister with a feeling of almost fiendish hatred.  When she saw the bright look of joy which passed over Fanny’s face as the doctor whispered to her, she pressed her small white hands together until her long transparent nails left their impress in her flesh!

Just then Mr. Miller, with his wife upon his arm, approached the spot where the doctor was standing, and said, “Why, doctor, what has happened?  You look almost as happy as I feel.  And little Fanny, too, is really looking quite rosy.  I should not be surprised if my wedding should be a prelude to another.”

Julia could hear no more, but sick with anger, she turned away, heartily wishing Mr. Miller was in California digging gold with the water six feet deep all around him!  When the company began to disperse Dr. Lacey whispered to Fanny that he wished her to remain a few moments, as he had something to say to her.  Accordingly, after the parlor was deserted, he drew her to the sofa and placing his arm around her, told her of the plan which he had marked out for her improvement during the next two years.  To all that he required Fanny promised a cheerful compliance, and he proceeded to tell her how he would in the meantime beautify his Southern home, and fill it up with every luxury which could please a refined, delicate female.  By the time he had finished Fanny was weeping from excess of happiness.

“It seems so strange,” said she, “that you should prefer me to any one else, me, who am so plain looking, so—­”

“So pure-minded and innocent,” interrupted Dr. Lacey, “and so lovely, too, for to me you are very handsome.  Not as beautiful, perhaps, as Mrs. Miller, for there are few who are, and yet I like your looks quite as well.”

Fanny did not reply; after a moment’s silence he said, “Fanny, I shall be obliged to go to New Orleans soon.”

“Go to New Orleans,” said Fanny.  “Oh, no, don’t.”

“But I must,” answered he.  “Business of importance calls me there.”

“How soon must you go?”

“In two weeks,” he replied.

“And how long will you be gone?”

“Probably three months,” he answered.  “But I shall write to you often; twice a week, perhaps, and you will find enough to do to answer my letters and attend to your studies, besides practicing your music lessons.  By the way, Fanny, I wish you to pay particular attention to music, for you know I am very fond of it.”

Fanny promised that she would, and they separated for the night.  While Fanny was going to her room, she determined she would tell Julia all her future prospects; but she found her sister either asleep or pretending to be (the latter was the fact); so she said nothing, but lay down without disturbing her.  She could not sleep, however, and toward morning Julia called out, in no very gentle tones, “Do lie still, Fan, or else get up and go down in the parlor and have another tete-a-tete with Dr. Lacey.”