Accordingly, after the wedding party had returned to Mrs. Crane’s, he invited Mr. Middleton to go with him for a few minutes to his room.  Fanny was sure of her father’s consent, but she could not help feeling nervous when she saw him leave the parlor, accompanied by Dr. Lacey.  A few moments after, she observed that Julia also was missing, and she trembled lest she might have suspected something and gone to listen.

Nor was she mistaken in her fears; for Mrs. Carrington and Julia both had an inkling of what was going on, and when the latter heard Dr. Lacey say something to her father in a low tone, and then saw them leave the room together, she arose and stealthily followed them upstairs.  Going out on the balcony, she stole softly up to Dr. Lacey’s window, and there, unobserved, listened to a conversation which confirmed her worst fears.  In a firm, decided tone, Dr. Lacey told Mr. Middleton of his love for his daughter, and said she had promised to be his if her father would consent.

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.”