Tempest and Sunshine

Let us now go back for a few weeks and watch Julia's plot as it

progresses. We have learned from Fanny that four letters arrived from Dr.

Lacey; but the fifth she was destined never to receive. She was expecting

it on Tuesday and was about going to the post office, when Julia said,

"Fanny, I feel just like walking this morning; suppose you let me run

round to the post office and get your expected letter."

"Very well," answered Fanny; "but don't be gone long."

"I won't," said Julia, gaily. "You sit down by the window and when I come

round the corner on my return home. I will hold up your letter, and you

will know you have one at least a minute before I reach home."

So saying she departed, and Fanny sat down by the window to await her

return. For several days past there had been a change in Julia's

deportment. She was very amiable and kind to the household in general and

to Fanny in particular. This was a part of her plan, so that in the

catastrophe that was about to follow, she might not be suspected of foul

play.

At first Fanny was surprised at her affectionate advances, but it was so

pleasant to have a sister who would love her that she did not ask the

reason of so sudden a change, and when Julia very humbly asked forgiveness

for all her former unkindness, the innocent-hearted Fanny burst into

tears, and declared she had nothing to forgive, if her sister would only

continue to love her always. Julia placed a Judas-like kiss on Fanny's

pure brow, and gave a promise that she would try to be good; but she

thought to herself, "this seeming change will make a favorable impression

on Dr. Lacey when he hears of it."

She knew that Fanny was expecting a letter on the Tuesday morning of which

we have spoken, and fearing that by some means Mr. Dunn might fail of

securing it, she determined to go herself for the mail. When she reached

the post office the sinister smile with which Mr. Dunn greeted her assured

her that he had something for her, and she readily conjectured that it was

Fanny's expected letter.

"Good morning, Mr. Dunn!" said she. "Anything for me this morning?"

"Yes, ma'am," answered Dunn, with a very low bow; and casting a furtive

glance around to make sure that no one saw him, he drew from his pocket a

letter, on which Julia instantly recognized Dr. Lacey's handwriting. She

took it and placed it in the pocket of her dress.