said, "Miss Middleton, do you not think your sister too young to accept
the attentions of any gentleman, at least one who is so much of a stranger
to the family?"

Julia well knew that the fact of Dr. Lacey’s being a stranger was of no
consequence in Mrs. Carrington’s estimation, but she quickly answered,
"Yes, I do; but what can be done now?"

"Oh," said Mrs. Carrington, "your sister is very gentle and if we go to
her and state the case as it is, I am confident she will yield."

So they went to Fanny’s room, where they found her sitting by the window,
thinking how much pleasure she would enjoy that night.

Julia commenced operations by saying, "Fanny, what made you promise Dr.
Lacey that you would go with him tonight?"

"Why," said Fanny, "was there anything wrong in it?"

Here Mrs. Carrington’s soft voice chimed in, "Nothing very wrong, dear
Fanny, but it is hardly proper for a young school girl to appear in
public, attended by a gentleman who is not her brother or cousin."

Poor Fanny! Her heart sank, for she was afraid she would have to give up
going after all; but a thought struck her, and she said, "Well, then, it
is not proper for Julia to go with Mr. Wilmot, and she has promised to do
so."

"That is very different," said Mrs. Carrington; "Julia is engaged to Mr.
Wilmot, and unless you are engaged to Dr. Lacey," continued she,