in the glance of Julia’s large, dark eyes.

After supper he tried to engage the girls in conversation in order to
ascertain which had the better mind. He found Fanny most ready to
converse. She had forgotten her resolution not to talk, and before the
evening was half spent seemed perfectly well acquainted with him. She had
discovered that his name was Richard, that he had a sister Kate, who
called him Dick, that he was as yet possessor of his own heart, but was in
danger of losing it! The compliment Fanny very generously gave to her
sister Julia, because she observed that Mr. Wilmot’s eyes were often
directed toward the corner where the dark beauty sat, silent and
immovable.

Julia had taken but little part in the conversation and Mr. Wilmot’s
efforts to "draw her out" had proved ineffectual. She felt piqued that
Fanny should engross so much attention and resolved on revenge; so she
determined to show Mr. Wilmot that she could talk but not upon such silly
subjects as pleased Fanny. Accordingly, when books were mentioned, she
seemed suddenly aroused into life. She was really very intelligent and a
very good scholar. She had a great taste for reading, and what books she
could not prevail on her father to buy, she would borrow, so she had a
tolerably good knowledge of all the standard works. Mr. Wilmot was
surprised and pleased to find her so well informed and in the spirited
conversation which followed poor Fanny was cast entirely into the
background.

Fanny, however, attributed it to her sister’s superior knowledge of Latin,
and inwardly "thanked her stars" that she knew nothing of that language
further than the verb Amo, to love. The practical part of that verb she
understood, even if she did not its conjugation. She sat quietly listening