"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."




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