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Lacey with no more letters, but busied herself in anticipating the capture of a wealthy gentleman, who Ashton told her was, in the course of two or three months, coming on from Charleston, South Carolina. The scene now changes from Dr. Lacey’s to the "Indian Nest," on the lake shore. It was a charming spot, and looked as if intended only for the inhabitation of the pure and innocent.
This time, however, her interference was not necessary, for early next morning a carriage drew up in front of the Indian Nest. From it sprang Lida Gibson, who had recently returned from New York. She was full of talk, and within an hour after her arrival the story of Fanny’s engagement with Frank Cameron had been repeated in Dr. Lacey’s hearing at least three times.
Assured by this speech, Rondeau turned, and kissing Aunt Dilsey herself, was off just in time to escape a basin of hot suds which that highly-scandalized lady hurled after him. "I’ll tell marster this minute," said she, "and see if he hain’t got nothin’ to set the lazy lout a-doin’." So saying, the old lady waddled into the house, and going upstairs, knocked at Dr. Lacey’s door.
Unlike this was the reception which the intelligence met with from Dr. Lacey’s negroes. "What that ar you sayin’," asked Aunt Dilsey of Rondeau, who was communicating the important news to Leffie. "You’d better ask," replied Rondeau. "Who do you suppose Marster George is goin’ to fetch here to crack our heads for us?" "Dun know—Miss Mabel, maybe," said Aunt Dilsey.
Oh, how happy I was," he continued, "when I took her in my arms a little baby, and knew she was mine and Nancy’s, and thought what a comfort she’d be to me; but George, I tell you what," said he, as he placed one hand on Dr. Lacey’s arm and passed the other through the grizzled locks which lay around his brow, "I tell you what, these gray hairs come a heap too soon, and all for her, for her.
"And is it true?" asked Dr. Lacey. "Oh, you must not ask me that—I can’t tell—I shan’t tell—" and seizing her portfolio Julia started off toward the house, thinking possibly she should be pursued. But she was not. During the reading of the journal Dr. Lacey’s heart seemed to go through a benumbing process, which rendered it perfectly palsied.
Bandboxes were turned bottom-side up and their contents indiscriminately scattered until it was impossible to tell what was yours and what wasn’t. At length through the parlor door came Dr. Lacey and Fanny, followed by Frank Cameron and Florence. Throughout the rooms was a solemn hush as Fanny was made Dr. Lacey’s wife. Firmly Dr.
"No matter," answered Julia, with another yawn, "I feel better. My nap has done my head good." In the afternoon Fanny again went to church, and Julia resumed the occupation of the morning. She succeeded so well that before church was out she felt sure that after a few more attempts she could imitate Dr. Lacey’s writing so exactly as to thoroughly deceive Fanny.
Lacey’s invitation willingly, and the three weeks which he spent at his residence passed rapidly and pleasantly away. During that time Dr. Lacey met with a gentleman who owned a very handsome villa near the lake shore. This he wished to dispose of, and Mr. Middleton and Dr. Lacey went down to inspect it. They found it every way desirable, and Mr.
Lacey’s sweetheart!" repeated Mabel. "Who is Dr. Lacey’s sweetheart, pray?" "Do not blush so, Mabel; we do not mean you," said Lida Gibson, a bright-eyed, witty girl, with a sprinkling of malice in her nature. "Of course you do not mean me," said Mabel, laughingly. "But come, cousin; what of her?" And the young girls drew nearer to each other, and waited anxiously for Florence’s story.
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