"So, Mabel, you can have the doctor after all," said Lida. "You know you
used to say that it was all settled, for your parents and his had arranged
it."
Dr. Lacey waited for no more. He knew of a back stairway down which he
could escape into the open air unobserved. In a moment he stood alone in
Mr. Mortimer's garden, but the evening breeze, although it cooled his
brow, failed to calm his excited feelings. Suddenly it occurred to him
that his absence from Mr. Mortimer's would excite attention in those who
saw him enter, so he made a desperate effort to be calm, and retracing his
steps, was soon in the drawing room with Mabel Mortimer on his arm, much
to that young lady's satisfaction.
As they passed near a group of girls, in the center of which stood
Florence Woodburn, Mabel suddenly said, "Oh, Dr. Lacey, let me introduce
you to cousin Florence. She has just come from Frankfort and knows some of
your acquaintances there."
So saying, she drew him toward Florence, who had all the evening been
waiting for an introduction to him. Dr. Lacey rather wished to avoid
making Florence's acquaintance, fearing that she might say something to
him of Fanny. But there was no escape, and he greeted Florence with a
smile and a bow, which, to use her own words, "nearly drove every idea
from her head."
Once during the evening he found himself standing with Florence, alone,
near an open window. Florence improved her opportunity, and raising her
bewitching hazel eyes to the doctor's face, said, "Why do you not ask me
about your Kentucky friends, Dr. Lacey?"
Had Florence observed her companion closely, she would have noticed the
pallor which for an instant overspread his face. It passed away, and he
replied with an assumed gayety, "How should I know that we have any
acquaintances in common in Frankfort?"
Before Florence had time to reply, Mabel joined them. She was unwilling to
risk a tete-a-tete between the doctor and her fascinating cousin, and as
soon as she found them standing alone she went up to them. Her example was
followed by several other young ladies, among whom was Lida Gibson, who
began by saying, "Doctor, do you know that Miss Florence has told us all
about your love affairs, and also described the Golden Fairy? Now, why
didn't you fall in love with her sister? Florence says she is far more
beautiful."
Dr. Lacey answered calmly, "What reason has Miss Woodburn to think I am in
love with either."