Occasionally she would speak to Dr. Lacey of his cousin, young Stanton,
and would tell how much pleasure Fanny seemed to take in his society. But
this produced no effect, for Dr. Lacey had learned from Stanton himself of
his approaching marriage with Miss Ashton. Then Julia pulled another
string and expatiated so largely upon Frank Cameron’s sayings and doings
that Dr. Lacey became really uneasy, for recently he had thought seriously
of again writing to Fanny, and now he determined to do so.

Without knowing it, Julia was herself the means of causing this
determination to be carried into effect. One night she and Dr. Lacey had
been strolling for more than an hour through the many delightful walks in
the garden, which lay upon the lake shore. To her great satisfaction, they
were entirely alone, for Mr. Middleton and Florence were engaged in their
favorite game of chess, while Mabel was eagerly listening to Ashton, who
was relating to her some of his India adventures. Mabel had good sense
enough to know that her efforts to win Dr. Lacey would be useless, and
rather reluctantly she had given him up. Now her eyes grew brighter and
her heart beat faster whenever Ashton approached. But, fair Mabel, your
hopes are all in vain.

For Inez, the Spaniard,
Is o’er the sea,
And the heart thou wouldst win
Is not destined for thee.

As we have before said, Julia was delighted at having Dr. Lacey thus to
herself, and she resolved to increase the favorable impression she knew
she had already made upon him. Most admirably was her part played. Fanny
herself could not have been more gentle and agreeable than was Julia, as,