At length Mr. Miller said: "Richard, what has become of that sister of
yours, of whose marvelous beauty you used to tell us boys such big
stories?"
"My sister Kate," said Mr. Wilmot, "is at present at school in New Haven."
"And is she still as beautiful as you used to try to make us think she
was?" asked Mr. Miller.
"I will show you her likeness," returned Wilmot, "and you can judge for
yourself."
So saying, he drew from his pocket a richly cased daguerreotype, and
handed it to Mr. Miller. It was a face of uncommon beauty which met Mr.
Miller's eye, and he gazed enraptured on the surpassing loveliness of the
picture. At last he passed it to Fanny, who was eagerly waiting for it,
and then turning to Wilmot, he said, "Yes, Richard, she has the handsomest
face I ever saw."
"And the handsomest face I ever saw with one exception," said Mr. Wilmot,
glancing admiringly toward Julia. Mr. Miller followed the direction of his
eyes and as he saw the brilliant beauty of Julia, he sighed for fear his
young friend might or had already become entangled in her dark meshes.
Just then Fanny exclaimed, "Oh, how handsome; look mother--Julia, isn't she
perfectly beautiful!" And then she added, "But, Mr. Wilmot, is she as good
as she is beautiful?"
"How absurd," said Julia hastily; "just as though one cannot be handsome
and good too."
"I didn't say they couldn't, sister," said Fanny; "but I thought--yes, I'm
sure she looks a little selfish!"
"Upon my word you're very polite," said Julia. "Mr. Wilmot will doubtless
feel complimented by what you say of his sister."
"Never mind, Fanny," said Mr. Wilmot; "never mind; you are more of a
physiognomist than I thought you were, for Kate's great fault is being too
selfish; but she will overcome that in time, I think."
"Oh, I am sure so," quickly rejoined Fanny, regretting her words and
anxious to do away with any unfavorable impression she might have made. So
she went up to Mr. Wilmot and laying her hand on his shoulder, said, "I am
sorry if I said anything bad of your sister. She is very beautiful and I
think I should love her very much. Do you think she will ever come to
Kentucky?"
"I hardly think she will," said Mr. Wilmot; "but I think you would like
her, and I am sure she would love you. I often write to her about my two
Kentucky sisters."