During the day Lida wondered much why Dr. Lacey stayed so closely in his
room. "I should think he would roast in there," said she. "I do wonder
what he is about?"

"I fancy," answered Florence, "that he still loves Fanny, and now that she
is engaged he is staying alone until he gets his rebellious heart tied
up."

When Lida afterward learned the truth, she expressed a wish that her
tongue might have been cut out ere she had been the bearer of news which
caused so much trouble.

While Dr. Lacey was securely bolted in his room, nerving himself to bear
this fresh disappointment and striving to drive each thought of Fanny from
him, Julia too was alone and busily engaged. What pains she took to rub
and soil those tiny sheets of paper, until they assumed a worn and
crumpled look! Then dipping her finger in the silver goblet at her side,
what perfect tear blots she made, and how she exulted over the probable
success of her morning’s work! When it was finished she placed it in her
portfolio, and waited for a favorable opportunity.

It came not that day, however, for save at meal time Dr. Lacey made not
his appearance. To Mr. Middleton’s inquiries concerning the reason of his
seclusion, he replied, "that he was busy with important matters"; but his
abstracted manner led Mr. Middleton to believe what he had long suspected,
viz., that Dr. Lacey’s heart was wholly centered upon Fanny, and that the
news of her coming marriage was the cause of his unhappiness.

Next morning’s sun rose clear and bright, but it brought a day which Dr.