"But first," said Mabel, "tell us how you know she is anything to Dr.
Lacey."
"That is what I don't know," said Florence. "I am only speaking of what
has been."
"Well, then," said Mabel, more gayly, "go on," "This Fanny Middleton," said Florence, "looks just as you would imagine a
bright angel to look."
How Dr. Lacey blessed her for these words.
"But," continued Florence, "there is a singularly sad expression on her
marble face."
"I never observed it," thought Dr. Lacey.
"What makes her sad?" asked Lida.
"That is a mystery to me," answered Florence. "Report says that she loved
a Mr. Wilmot, who was engaged to her sister."
"Engaged to her sister!" repeated Mabel. "How strange! But won't it make
trouble?"
"It cannot," said Florence. "Mr. Wilmot is dead, and it is whispered that
Fanny's heart was buried with him. I should not be surprised if it were
so, for Fanny has the saddest face I ever saw. It made me want to cry when
I looked at her. I should have pitied her more, however, had she not been
so well cared for by a Mr. Stanton, of New York."
Large drops of perspiration stood thickly on Dr. Lacey's forehead, and his
hands, convulsively clasped, were pressed against his heart; still he did
not lose a syllable as Florence continued, "I did not blame her for liking
Stanton, for he would break half your hearts and turn the rest of you
crazy."
"But the sister," asked all the young ladies, "how was she affected to
think Fanny loved her betrothed?"
"Oh, that sister!" said Florence. "You ought to see her! She is beautiful
beyond anything I can describe. She eclipsed everything and everybody."
"And she is as agreeable as handsome?" asked Mabel, whose fears were
aroused that Julia might be the rival, instead of Fanny.
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."