But Uncle Joshua answered, "No, George, wait a little longer. Nuthin' 'll
come betwixt you again, I reckon, and I wouldn't have you marry her while
t'other one is so low."
So Dr. Lacey was obliged to wait, but though he would much rather have
remained near Fanny he deemed it expedient to change his abode and remove
to Mrs. Crane's. He was partly induced to do this on Rondeau's account,
who, being Ike's sworn enemy, was the cause of no little annoyance to Mr.
Middleton, who, with his negroes, was much nettled by the air of
superiority which that young gentleman thought proper to assume.
Greatly was Rondeau delighted to exchange the crazy old stone house, with
its corn-bread and fried bacon, for Mrs. Crane's elegant place, with its
oyster soups and ice creams, a part of which the head cook always reserved
for the "colored gentleman from New Orleans," who assured her, that though
when at home he didn't exactly eat at the same table with his master, he
still lived on the top shelf! Not long, however, did Rondeau enjoy his new
quarters, for about that time Mr. William Middleton returned to New
Orleans, and Dr. Lacey sent with him his servant Rondeau, nothing loath to
return home, for Leffie's face of late had haunted him not a little.
Dr. Lacey's return to Mrs. Crane's gave great satisfaction to Mrs.
Carrington, who, though she had no hopes of winning him, still, to use her
own words, "took great delight in reminding him of the snare into which he
had fallen, notwithstanding his profound wisdom and boasted foresight." It
required all the good breeding he was master of to answer politely when,
after returning from a visit to Mr. Middleton's, she would jeeringly ask
him concerning "his bride's health!"
But Mrs. Carrington's levity was brought to an end by an unforeseen
circumstance. It was now six weeks since the evening of the denouement,
and Julia's health was so much improved that Dr. Lacey began to speak
confidently of the day when Fanny would be his own. Uncle Joshua had given
his consent, and preparations for the marriage had actually commenced,
when Julia, in whose room Mrs. Middleton had been in the habit of
sleeping, insisted upon being left alone. "I am well now," she said, "and
do not need you."
Mrs. Middleton was finally persuaded, but charged her daughter to be sure
and call her if she wished for her during the night.
Over Julia's face a meaning smile flitted as she answered, "I hope to
trouble no one much longer," but it was unnoticed by Mrs. Middleton, and
Julia was left alone. Early next morning Luce went as usual to make a fire
for her young mistress, after which she softly drew back the bed curtains
to see if Julia slept. She was surprised to find no Julia there, neither
were there signs of her having been there during the night. With a loud
cry Luce summoned to the room both Mr. and Mrs. Middleton, the former of
whom on seeing how matters stood, exclaimed, "So ho! Up to her tricks
again. I thought she couldn't hold good long."