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The old roguish expression danced in Frank’s eye, as he said, "Most noble mother Adelaide, will you tell me whether it wrenched father’s back much when he stooped to a music teacher?"
With the old Indian, however, she made but little headway; and Frank was right when he thought, "You’ll get tired of that play, madam; the game is too old to be caught with chaff." With Raymond she succeeded better. He was delighted with her unusually flattering notice; and ere supper was over he had, in Frank’s estimation, made a perfect fool of himself.
Such were Frank’s thoughts while undergoing the ceremony of an introduction to Julia, who never for a moment doubted she was making an impression upon the handsome young stranger, his supposed wife to the contrary notwithstanding. The introduction being over, Julia seated herself on the sofa, while Fanny took a seat on a low ottoman near her uncle, but partially behind him.
Her first question, after asking about Kate, was, "Well, Frank, tell me, did you propose to Miss Middleton?" "Most certainly I did. That was one object in going," was Frank’s quiet reply. The horrified Mrs. Cameron, throwing up both hands in a most theatrical manner, exclaimed, "Mon Dieu!" It was the only French phrase she knew, and she used it upon all occasions.
Frank’s attention was, however, soon diverted toward Mr. Middleton, who said, speaking to Stanton, "Were it not for your name and glasses, I would address you as Dr. Lacey. Are you related to him?" Stanton replied, "Yes, sir; he is my cousin. I think I must resemble him, as I have been told so frequently." Mr. Middleton then spoke of Dr.
She had chosen this place, because she fancied it would screen her somewhat from Frank’s eyes, which she felt, rather than saw, were fixed upon her constantly. During the conversation which followed, Julia, as if by mere accident, mentioned New Orleans. She was anxious to know whether her uncle saw or heard of Dr. Lacey.
Stafford and Frank looked eagerly out at the speaker, who fully realized Frank’s idea of him. His beard was as long and black as a rapid growth of three weeks could make it. As Julia had feared, he was dressed in his favorite bagging pants, which hung loosely, even around his huge proportions, and looked as if fitted to some of his outbuildings.
How ever, when Kate’s letter arrived, he passed it over to Gertrude, whose curiosity was instantly roused, and she poured forth a torrent of questions as to who that Fanny Middleton was. "I suppose she must be old Mr. Middleton’s daughter," was Frank’s teasing reply. "Of course I know that," said Gertrude, "but what of her? who is she?"
With woman’s quick perception, Florence divined Frank’s thoughts, and although she professed herself to be "terribly afraid of his Presbyterian smile and deaconish ways," she took good care not to discourage him. But she teased him unmercifully, and played him many sorry tricks.
During Frank’s ride to C—— he determined, ere his return, to know the worst. "She can but refuse me," thought he, "and even if she does, I shall feel better than I do now." When he met Fanny his manner was so calm and collected that she never dreamed how deep was the affection she had kindled in his heart. She received him with real pleasure, for he seemed like a friend from Kentucky.
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