Tempest and Sunshine

"And if he is," said Fanny, "I suppose you want me to be very careful to

use my fork, and break my egg correctly."

"I think it would be well for you always to try and show as much good

breeding as possible," said Julia.

"Well," returned Fanny, "I reckon this Dr. Lacing or Dr. Lacework--what's

his name?--will ever be anything to us, for I am sure he'd never think of

me, and you are engaged to a man who is much better than any of your New

Orleans pill bags."

Little did Fanny dream how closely the "New Orleans pill bags" were to be

connected with the rest of her life. Julia said nothing but probably

thought more.

When the young ladies entered the breakfast room next morning they noticed

seated opposite them a tall, dark, handsome young man, whom Mrs.

Carrington introduced to them as Dr. Lacey. There was something remarkably

pleasing in his manner, and before breakfast was over he had completely

won Fanny's good opinion by kindly breaking her egg for her, and when she

had the misfortune to drop the fork, he drew the attention of the company

from her by relating an anecdote on himself, which was that he was once

invited to a dinner party at the Hon. Henry Clay's, and as he was trying

to be very graceful and polite, he unfortunately upset his plate, the

contents of which, together with his knife and fork, were deposited in his

lap. This story raised such a laugh that all forgot Fanny, who gave Dr.

Lacey such a look of gratitude that after breakfast he asked Mrs. Crane

who the pale, blue-eyed girl was, and received about the same information

that Mrs. Carrington had received concerning her.

That day Mr. Wilmot's eyes were not as handsome nor his teeth as white as

usual in the estimation of Julia, who often found herself wondering why he

did not wear whiskers. That evening he called at Mrs. Crane's and for the

first time in her life Julia was not much pleased to see him. He, however,

rose ten per cent in her estimation when she saw the familiar and cordial

manner with which Dr. Lacey treated him. They talked as though they were

old and dear friends.

After Mr. Wilmot had left, Dr. Lacey said, "Why, that Wilmot is a

remarkably intelligent man and very agreeable."

Then turning to Mrs. Carrington, he added, "Let me see--is he a teacher?"

"Yes," said Mrs. Carrington, "and these young ladies are his pupils, and

report says he looks after the heart of one of them as well as the head."