Meantime the gentlemen above were discussing the conversation which they
had overheard.

"Is it possible," said Mr. Miller, "that I have been so deceived in Fanny,
and that, after all, she is as passionate as her sister?"

"As passionate as her sister," repeated Mr. Wilmot; "I think we have good
proof that she is much more so. I hope you are now convinced that Fanny is
not infallible, though I will confess I am surprised and disappointed, for
I thought she was really of a very gentle nature."

Mr. Miller did not reply directly, but went on, as if speaking to himself,
"Oh, Fanny, Fanny, how has my idol fallen! I never would have believed it,
but for such convincing evidence."

He was indeed sorely disappointed. He had always thought of Fanny as the
embodiment of almost every female virtue, and although she was so young,
hope had often whispered to him of a joyous future when she, whom her
father designated as "Sunshine," should also shed a halo of sunlight
around another fireside. But now the illusion was painfully dispelled, for
sooner would he have taken the Egyptian asp to his bosom than chosen for a
companion one whom he knew to possess a hasty, violent temper.

Next morning he took leave of Mr. Middleton’s family. When it came Fanny’s
turn to bid him good-by, she noticed the absence of his accustomed
cordiality, and wondered much what she had done to displease him. That
night she wept herself to sleep thinking of it, while Julia, secretly
exulting in her sister’s uneasiness, laughed at her for her foolishness,
and said, "It was probably a mere fancy, and even if it were not; what
matter was it? What did she care for Mr. Miller’s good or bad opinion? She