rose ten per cent in her estimation when she saw the familiar and cordial
manner with which Dr. Lacey treated him. They talked as though they were
old and dear friends.

After Mr. Wilmot had left, Dr. Lacey said, "Why, that Wilmot is a
remarkably intelligent man and very agreeable."

Then turning to Mrs. Carrington, he added, "Let me see—is he a teacher?"

"Yes," said Mrs. Carrington, "and these young ladies are his pupils, and
report says he looks after the heart of one of them as well as the head."

"Well," continued he, "whichever one is favored with his preference should
feel honored, for he is a capital fellow." Just then his eye fell upon an
elegant piano which stood in the room and he asked Mrs. Carrington to
favor him with some music.

"Perhaps Miss Middleton will oblige you," said Mrs. Carrington, looking at
Julia.

"Thank you," said Julia, "I am just taking lessons," so Mrs. Carrington
sat down to the instrument, and as Julia saw how skillfully her white,
jewelled fingers touched the keys, she resolved to spare no pains to
become as fine a player as Mrs. Carrington, particularly as she saw that
Dr. Lacey was very fond of music and kept calling for piece after piece
till the evening was somewhat advanced.

"You ought to play, golden locks," said he to Fanny, at the same time
taking one of her long yellow curls in his hand.