Florence replied, “I was told that she was formerly very passionate, so much so that her father nicknamed her Tempest.  Within a few months she has entirely changed, and is now very amiable; but I like Fanny’s looks the best.”

“But Dr. Lacey—­what had he to do with Fanny?” asked Lida.

“It was said they were engaged; but I do not think they are.  In fact, I know they are not, from what Fanny said herself; for she assured me that Dr. Lacey was nothing to her more than a common acquaintance; and the sad but sweet smile which broke over her face whenever she raised, her soft blue eyes to Stanton’s animated countenance confirmed what she said.”

“So, Mabel, you can have the doctor after all,” said Lida.  “You know you used to say that it was all settled, for your parents and his had arranged it.”

Dr. Lacey waited for no more.  He knew of a back stairway down which he could escape into the open air unobserved.  In a moment he stood alone in Mr. Mortimer’s garden, but the evening breeze, although it cooled his brow, failed to calm his excited feelings.  Suddenly it occurred to him that his absence from Mr. Mortimer’s would excite attention in those who saw him enter, so he made a desperate effort to be calm, and retracing his steps, was soon in the drawing room with Mabel Mortimer on his arm, much to that young lady’s satisfaction.

As they passed near a group of girls, in the center of which stood Florence Woodburn, Mabel suddenly said, “Oh, Dr. Lacey, let me introduce you to cousin Florence.  She has just come from Frankfort and knows some of your acquaintances there.”

So saying, she drew him toward Florence, who had all the evening been waiting for an introduction to him.  Dr. Lacey rather wished to avoid making Florence’s acquaintance, fearing that she might say something to him of Fanny.  But there was no escape, and he greeted Florence with a smile and a bow, which, to use her own words, “nearly drove every idea from her head.”

Once during the evening he found himself standing with Florence, alone, near an open window.  Florence improved her opportunity, and raising her bewitching hazel eyes to the doctor’s face, said, “Why do you not ask me about your Kentucky friends, Dr. Lacey?”

Had Florence observed her companion closely, she would have noticed the pallor which for an instant overspread his face.  It passed away, and he replied with an assumed gayety, “How should I know that we have any acquaintances in common in Frankfort?”

Before Florence had time to reply, Mabel joined them.  She was unwilling to risk a tete-a-tete between the doctor and her fascinating cousin, and as soon as she found them standing alone she went up to them.  Her example was followed by several other young ladies, among whom was Lida Gibson, who began by saying, “Doctor, do you know that Miss Florence has told us all about your love affairs, and also described the Golden Fairy?  Now, why didn’t you fall in love with her sister?  Florence says she is far more beautiful.”