But such was not a part of Fanny’s intentions.  She liked Stanton because he was agreeable, intelligent and Dr. Lacey’s cousin; but she would sooner have parted with her right hand than have done anything inconsistent with her engagement with Dr. Lacey.  On the other hand, Stanton’s heart was too strongly fortified with Nellie’s charms to admit of an entrance to the gentle Fanny.  But he admired her very much, and seemed to think that she had some claim upon him in the absence of his cousin.

Thus, as days went on, his polite attentions toward Fanny increased, and Julia resolved to make this fact work for the accomplishment of her designs.

CHAPTER X

Tempest forges A letter and its results

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.