and that night, at the supper table, when Mr. Miller related her adventure
to her father, she joined as gayly as any one in the laugh which followed.

Julia was much displeased to think that Fanny’s "ridiculous conduct," as
she called it, should be told of and laughed at as if it were something
amusing. She was anxious, too, that Mr. Miller should draw his visit to a
close, but as he did not seem inclined to do so, she resolved to make the
most of it, and give him a few new ideas. She knew that Fanny had ever
been his favorite and she very naturally supposed that the reason of his
preference was because he thought she possessed a very lovely, amiable
disposition. She determined to make him think otherwise, and set herself
at work to execute a plan, which fully showed the heartless deception
which almost always characterized her actions.

Fortune seemed to favor her, for after supper her father and mother
announced their intention of spending the evening at one of the
neighbors’, and soon after they left Mr. Wilmot, who had letters to write,
retired to his room, together with Mr. Miller. As soon as they were gone
Julia repaired to the negro quarters and, by dint of threats, flattery and
promises of reward, finally prevailed upon Luce to join with her in her
dark plot. They then went to Julia’s sleeping room and carefully opened
the closet door, so that every word of their conversation could be heard
in the adjoining room.

Julia’s voice was strangely like her sister’s, and by means of imitating
her she hoped to deceive both Mr. Wilmot and Mr. Miller, who were startled
by a loud, angry voice, exclaiming, "Come, you black imp, no more lies,
you know you’ve stolen it, so just confess, and tell me where it is."

The young gentlemen looked at each other in surprise, for the voice was