“Nothing bad, I hope,” said Mr. Middleton.

“Nothing worse than going for a wife,” answered Raymond.  “He is not suited with Kentucky girls, but must needs plod back to New York.”

“If appearances do not deceive, you, at least, seem likely to be suited by a Kentuckian,” replied Mr. Middleton, at the same time turning his black eyes on Mrs. Carrington with something of a quizzical expression.

Raymond colored.  He did not know how the speech would be received by the fair lady.  She soon satisfied him, however; for tossing her head proudly, she said, “As far as my experience goes, New Yorkers are more easily suited than Kentuckians; at least, I find them to be exceedingly disagreeable.”

“I am afraid some of them are so easily suited that they catch a Tartar sometimes,” said Frank, whose feelings were roused at hearing this rude speech.

Mrs. Carrington gave him a look which she meant should say, “I wonder who you think you are.  I’d thank you to mind your own business.”

But Frank thought he was minding his business; for he was looking at Fanny, who had not taken her eyes from her plate since her uncle had proposed taking herself and Julia to New Orleans.  Her first feeling was one of joy.  She would go, for she would then see Dr. Lacey; but the next thought was, “No, I will not.  He has spurned me, and why should I put myself in his way?”

Julia’s feelings were different.  She could scarcely conceal her delight.  Her artful mind took in the future at a glance.  She felt sure that Fanny would not go; but she would, and could thus make Dr. Lacey believe that she, of all others, was just suited for him.  Here we may as well give Julia’s real reason for absenting herself from the May party.  She had begun to fear that all her fine scheming might come to naught; for in all probability Dr. Lacey would not return to Kentucky in a long time.  What could she do?  She would write him a letter in her own name.  In it she would modestly express her opinion of Fanny’s conduct; sympathize with him in his disappointment, and end by inviting him to Frankfort, saying she hoped he would not absent himself from his friends on Fanny’s account; for there were many who would welcome him back to Kentucky with pleasure.  It was for the sake of manufacturing this letter that Julia had remained at home.  But now there was no need of sending it, for she was going to New Orleans herself.  She would win him.  He would yet be hers.

On returning to the parlor after supper she seated herself close to her uncle, upon whom she lavished so many caresses that he wondered much what had come over her, and began to think that he was mistaken in supposing her to be cold-hearted and indifferent to him.  As he looked at her beautiful, animated face, and the sparkling brilliancy of her eyes, he felt a moment’s vanity in thinking how proud he would be to introduce her as his niece among the fashionables of New Orleans.