Julia received him graciously, but rather haughtily offered him her cold white hand.  “I will not kiss him,” thought she; “Fanny did that.  It’s too childish.  I’ll he more dignified.”  Could she have known the contrast which her uncle was drawing between her own and Fanny’s reception of him she would not have felt much flattered; but before her uncle had time to say anything further, Fanny introduced her to Frank, whose keen eye had read her character at a glance, and read it aright, too.  His ideas and words were after the following fashion: 

“Pshaw!  What a bundle of pride and stuck-up-ishness!  She’s handsome, though, but it isn’t to be named the same day with Fanny,”—­“How do you do, Miss Middleton?”—­“What an affected little courtesy!”—­“Hope to see you well, ma’am.”—­“I’d laugh to see her trip and fall flat.”

Such were Frank’s thoughts while undergoing the ceremony of an introduction to Julia, who never for a moment doubted she was making an impression upon the handsome young stranger, his supposed wife to the contrary notwithstanding.  The introduction being over, Julia seated herself on the sofa, while Fanny took a seat on a low ottoman near her uncle, but partially behind him.  She had chosen this place, because she fancied it would screen her somewhat from Frank’s eyes, which she felt, rather than saw, were fixed upon her constantly.

During the conversation which followed, Julia, as if by mere accident, mentioned New Orleans.  She was anxious to know whether her uncle saw or heard of Dr. Lacey.  Her curiosity was soon gratified, for, at the mention of New Orleans, as if suddenly recollecting himself, said, turning to Fanny, “I saw two of your acquaintances in New Orleans, and one of them gave me a most glowing description of you.”

“I wonder if it were a gentleman,” thought Frank.

Julia’s thoughts were similar, and she bit her lip, while Fanny’s cheek glowed with unwonted brilliancy as she quietly asked, “Pray, who was it uncle?”

“It was Miss Woodburn who praised you so highly,” answered Mr. Middleton.

Julia immediately asked, “And who was the other acquaintance?”

“Dr. Lacey,” answered her uncle.  “I spent three weeks at his house.”

Without knowing it, Fanny drew nearer to her uncle and laid her hand on his.  He seemed dearer to her from the fact that he had spent so much time with one whose image was ever before her, and whom she vainly fancied she was trying to forget.

Frank noticed Fanny’s manner, and interpreted it according to his fears.  “There’s mischief here,” thought he.  “I hope this doctor lives in a good locality for yellow fever.”

“Is Dr. Lacey about to be married?” asked Julia.

“Married,” repeated Mr. Middleton; “I should say matrimony was very far from his thoughts at present.  I fancied he had met with some disappointment and I sometimes feared lest the fair, deceitful one were one of my nieces.  Can any one set me right on the subject?”