"Well, I do believe you haven't common sense," said Julia, "but where is
your money to buy all these things?"
"Oh," said Fanny, "I've concluded not to go and hear Fanny Kemble tonight.
I'd rather spend the money for the servants; it will do them so much
good."
"You certainly are a fool," said Julia. Fanny had been told that often, so
she did not reply, but hastened downstairs and was soon in the street. As
she turned the corner she could see the windows of her room, and the whole
length of the balcony on that side of the building. Looking in that
direction she saw Dr. Lacey sitting out on the balcony and so near her
window that he must have heard all the conversation between herself and
her sister! She thought, "Well, he of course thinks me a silly little
dunce; but I do like our blacks, and if I ever own any of them, I'll first
teach them to read and then send them all to Liberia." Full of this new
plan, she forgot Dr. Lacey and ere she was aware of it had reached the
store. She procured the articles she wished for, and returning to Mrs.
Crane's, gave them to Ike, who was soon on his way home.
At supper that evening the conversation turned upon Fanny Kemble and the
expected entertainment. "I suppose you are all going," said Mrs. Crane to
her boarders. They all answered in the affirmative except Fanny, who was
about to reply, when Dr. Lacey interrupted her by saying, "Miss Fanny,
will you allow me to accompany you to hear Mrs. Butler this evening?"
Fanny was amazed. Was it possible that the elegant Dr. Lacey had honored
her with an invitation to accompany him to the literary treat! She was too
much surprised to answer him, until he said, "Do not refuse me, Miss
Fanny, for I am resolved to have you go!" She then gracefully accepted his
polite invitation, and at the same time glancing toward Julia and Mrs.
Carrington, she saw that the former frowned darkly, while the latter
looked displeased. This dampened her happiness somewhat, and as soon as
supper was over she hurried to her room.
Mrs. Carrington was a gay, fashionable woman, and was just as willing to
receive attention from unmarried gentlemen now as she had been in her
girlish days. Her husband was an officer in the United States army and was
absent a great part of the time, but she had never cared much for him, so
she managed to pass the time of his absence very happily in flirting with
every handsome wealthy young gentleman who came in her way. When Dr. Lacey
appeared, she immediately appropriated him to herself. 'Tis true, she
somewhat feared Julia might become a rival, but of the modest, unassuming
little Fanny, she had never once thought, and was greatly surprised when
Dr. Lacey offered to escort her to the reading. She had resolved on having
his company herself, and when she saw the frown on Julia's face, she
flattered herself that she could yet prevent Fanny's going.