Fanny saw that her sister was awake, and she resolved to improve the opportunity, even if Julia were not in a very gentle mood.  So she said, “Sister, I want to tell you something; wake up, won’t you?”

“Wake up!” answered Julia.  “I should like to know who’s been asleep, or who can sleep where you are?  What is the great secret you wish to tell me?”

With many blushes and some stammering Fanny got through with her story.  After she had finished Julia was silent a few moments and then said, “Well, what of it?  What if Dr. Lacey has promised to marry you?  Is that any reason why you should keep me awake all night?”

Fanny did not answer, and as her mind was relieved from the weighty matter of telling her sister, she soon fell asleep, and when she awoke the sun was high in the heavens, and Mrs. Miller was bending over her, wishing her a “Merry Christmas!” That day there was sent to Mrs. Crane’s a large box, which Dr. Lacey was very particular to have handled carefully.  When it was opened it was found to contain an elegant rosewood piano, and a note in which was written, “A Christmas Gift for Fanny.”  The delighted girl did not ask who was the giver, for she well knew; and resolved to apply herself closely to music, so as to do justice to the beautiful present.

The two weeks of Dr. Lacey’s stay passed rapidly away, and at their close he bade Fanny an affectionate good-by, promising to write regularly twice a week, and to return, if possible, at the end of three months.  After he was gone, it seemed to Fanny that one-half of her life had left her, and she felt very unhappy.  There was something in her sister’s manner which she could not define, and as Julia seemed anxious to avoid her, she spent much of her time with Mrs. Miller, who each day grew fonder of her little “Kentucky sister,” as she often called her in imitation of her brother.

Meanwhile Julia spent all her leisure hours with Mrs. Carrington, to whom she confided her feelings and wishes.  Mrs. Carrington was not displeased to find that Julia was determined to break the engagement between Dr. Lacey and Fanny, and secretly hoped she would succeed.  Not that she wished to aid Julia in securing the doctor, for such was not her intention.  Neither did she look upon such an event as possible, for she felt sure that Dr. Lacey never would fancy Julia, even if there were no Fannys in the world; and supposing he did, she could easily remedy it by exposing Julia’s wickedness.

In due course of time a letter arrived for Fanny from Dr. Lacey.  It was a well-filled sheet and so full of affection and kind suggestions for her improvement, that Fanny felt an increased pleasure in thinking that she was the object of Dr. Lacey’s love.  Julia watched her with an evil eye, as she read the letter, and when she saw the look of joy which lit up every feature, she thought, “Yes, read on and enjoy it—­do—­for you’ll not get many more such!”