Mr. Middleton replied, "And so it's my darter you want. Of course it's
Sunshine?"
"Certainly, sir," answered Dr. Lacey.
"Well, I'm glad on't. I've seen it all along; but I didn't know but mebby
Tempest had come it over you with her pretty face--but devil of a life
you'd lead with her."
Dr. Lacey did not reply, but Julia did; and though the tones of her voice
were too low to be heard, they were none the less emphatic, as she said,
"And devil of a life I'll make you lead if you do not have me." And at the
same time she ground her glittering teeth and shook her clenched fist at
the two men, who were unconscious of the rage they were exciting.
Mr. Middleton continued, "Yes, I'll give you Sunshine, I reckon, and a
hundred thousand dollars beside."
"It's Fanny I want, not her money," said Dr. Lacey.
"Oh, yes, I know," answered Mr. Middleton; "but I reckon you won't object
to a few thousand, unless you are as rich as a Jew."
Dr. Lacey replied: "I am not as rich as a Jew, but I am the only child of
my father, who is said to be worth half a million."
"Half a million!" repeated Mr. Middleton in astonishment. "Golly-ludy,
man, what made you ever think of a poor girl like Sunshine?"
"Because I love her," answered Dr. Lacey, "and I would marry her just as
soon if she were not worth one dime."
"Maybe you would and maybe you wouldn't," muttered Julia; "and perhaps
you'll have her, and perhaps you won't. You've got me to deal with, and
I'd like to see the person who can cross my path with impunity." So
saying, she glided from her hiding place and went down stairs to the
parlor, leaving her father and Dr. Lacey to finish their conversation.
Dr. Lacey proposed that Fanny should continue at school two years longer,
and at the end of that time he would claim her as his wife.
"Why, yes," said Mr. Middleton; "I s'pose I understand; you want her to be
more accomplished like, afore you take her down to New Orleans. Well, it's
perfectly nateral, and old Josh'll spar no pains nor money."
And so the conference ended. When Dr. Lacey re-entered the parlor Fanny
read success in his face. In a short time he managed to get near her, and
bending down, whispered to her, "My own dear Fanny, forever." At these
words a beautiful flush suffused Fanny's usually pale cheek. It was
noticed by Julia, who was watching the doctor and her sister with a
feeling of almost fiendish hatred. When she saw the bright look of joy
which passed over Fanny's face as the doctor whispered to her, she pressed
her small white hands together until her long transparent nails left their
impress in her flesh!