In the course of the afternoon Raymond sought out Mr. Miller, and with a
somewhat quizzical face handed him Mr. Middleton's letter of introduction.
After reading it, Mr. Miller offered his hand to Raymond, and said, "I am
glad, Mr. Raymond, that you happened here just at this time, for my school
is large, and I am in want of a classical teacher. You are a graduate of
Yale, it seems?"
"Yes, sir," returned Raymond; "and by the way, Mr. Middleton told me that
you had won a New Haven girl--Miss Kate Wilmot. I knew her very well."
"Ah, is it possible?" said Mr. Miller, his face beaming. "Come with me to
Mrs. Crane's," said he. "Kate will be glad to see an old friend."
"Thank you," answered Raymond; "but I have a companion with me, a Mr.
Stanton, who also knew Miss Wilmot. He is going into a law office here. We
both of us intend calling at Mrs. Crane's this evening, and if possible we
shall procure board there."
So they parted, and Raymond returned to the Weisiger House, while Mr.
Miller hastened home to make some inquiries concerning his new assistant,
and to inform Mrs. Crane of her prospect for more boarders.
That evening Stanton and Raymond called. They found assembled in Mrs.
Crane's parlor, Mr. and Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Carrington and Julia. Kate
instantly recognized the young gentlemen as old acquaintances, and
presented them to her friends. When Stanton entered the room all observed
the strong resemblance between him and Dr. Lacey. At last Mr. Miller spoke
of it, and Stanton replied, "Yes, I've been told so before. Dr. Lacey is
my cousin."
"Indeed!" said Mr. Miller. Then turning to his wife, he added, "Where is
Fanny? She ought to be here. It might do her as much good as seeing the
doctor himself."
"I should like to see Miss Fanny," said Stanton, "as I am told she is to
be my cousin."
A malicious smile curled Julia's lip, as she thought, "I think it is very
doubtful whether she is ever your cousin"; but Mrs. Miller arose and said,
"I think she is in her room. I will call her."
Going to Fanny's room she knocked gently at the door; there was no
response, and she knocked again more loudly. But still there was no
answer; and Mrs. Miller thought she could distinguish a low, stifled sob.
Pushing open the door, she saw the usually gay-hearted Fanny seated on the
floor, her head resting on a chair, over which her hair fell like a golden
gleam of sunlight. A second glance convinced Kate that Fanny was weeping.