ing place, and the remainder of the company separated for the night.

CHAPTER XV

MR. MIDDLETON'S BROTHER

Julia's first exclamation, on waking the next morning, was, "I am glad I
am not expected to go home with uncle today, and see father make a
precious fool of himself, as he surely will."

"How can you say so, Julia?" answered Fanny. "I wish I was going, for I
think I could smooth father down a little if he got to using too strong
language."

"Nonsense, Fan," said Julia. "Why don't you confess that you wish to go
because that handsome Cameron is going? Didn't I see how much he looked at
you, and how you blushed, too? But no matter. I would get him, if I were
you!"

Julia was getting very generous, now that she thought herself sure of Dr.
Lacey. Further remark from her, however, was prevented by the ringing of
the breakfast bell.

"What shall I tell your parents?" said Mr. Middleton to his nieces, as he
stood in the hall, waiting for the driver to open the carriage door and
let down the steps.

Julia made no reply, but Fanny said, "Give them my love, and tell them I
am getting better every day, and shall want to come home soon," and then
she added, in a lower tone, "You will not laugh at father much, will you,
or make fun of him either, if he acts oddly?"

"God bless you, sweet girl," said Mr. Middleton, stooping to kiss the
innocent face which looked up into his with so much earnestness. "For your
sake, if for no other, your father shall not be laughed at."

As the carriage drove off, Julia turned to Fanny and said, "Won't they
have fun, though, with the old man? I can fancy it all. Father's beard
will probably be long enough to do up in papers, and it will be a miracle
if he does not have on those horrid old bagging pants of his."

Fanny was only too fearful it would all be as Julia predicted, but she
made no answer, and soon returned to her room.

We will now follow the carriage, which, with its load of gentlemen, was
proceeding rapidly toward the house of our friend Uncle Joshua. Mr.
William Middleton, or Mr. Stafford, as we will call him for a time, seemed
to grow excited as he approached nearer to a brother whose face he had not
looked upon for more than twenty long years.

"I say, boys," said he, speaking to his companions, "you must help me, and
when I begin to ask Joshua concerning his parents and brothers, you, too,
must talk