But to return to Fanny. After she was left alone by her sister, she threw
herself upon the sofa, and burst into tears; but at length, wiping them
away, she arose and went down to the parlor, determined to have a nice
time practicing her music lesson. It was rather hard and with untiring
patience she played it over and over, until she was suddenly startled by a
voice behind her, saying, "Really, Miss Fanny, you are persevering."
Looking up she saw Dr. Lacey, who had entered unperceived.
"Why, Dr. Lacey," said she, "how you frightened me! Why are you not at the
reading?"
"Because," answered he, "when my lady breaks her engagement, I think I,
too, can remain at home. But why did you change your mind, Miss Fanny? I
thought you were anxious to go."
Fanny blushed painfully, and the tears came to her eyes, but she replied,
"I was anxious to go, but they thought I had better not."
"And who is they?" asked the doctor; "and why did they think you had
better not go?"
Fanny answered, "Mrs. Carrington and Julia said I was too young to go out
with--"
"With such a bad man as I am," said Dr. Lacey, laughing.
"Oh, no," said Fanny; "they do not think you bad; they said with any
gentleman."
"Too young, are you?" said Dr. Lacey. "How old are you, Fanny?"
"I was sixteen last May," she replied.
"Sixteen; just as old as Anna was when she died, and just as old as my
mother was when she was married; so it seems you are not too young to die,
or to be married either, if you are too young to go out with me," said Dr.
Lacey.
Fanny did not reply; and he continued, "Whom would you have gone with if
you had not spent your money this morning for those old aunts?"
Fanny started; and giving him a searching look, was about to reply, when
he anticipated her by saying, "Yes, Fanny, I overheard your conversation
this morning, and I cannot sufficiently admire your generous self-denial.
I have heard Fanny Kemble two or three times, so I did not care to hear
her again; but I decided to go for the pleasure of having you hear her;
but as you did not choose to go, I have remained here with you, and wish
to have you tell me something about your parents and your home, and also
wish you to ask me to go there some time."