nt for the purpose of bringing his daughters home. For
once in her life, Julia was delighted with the idea of visiting her
parents. She had learned from a note which her mother had written that the
reason of their being sent for was to talk over the matter of going to New
Orleans. Fanny felt differently. She wished, yet dreaded, to go home. She
too knew why they were sent for; and as she was determined not to go to
New Orleans, it would be necessary at last to tell her father the true
reason. She was certain he would be unsparing in his wrath against Dr.
Lacey, and she almost trembled for the consequences.

When at last she was ready she descended to the parlor, and sitting down
to her piano ran her fingers lightly over the keys. At that moment Frank
Cameron entered. He had learned from his cousin, Kate, enough of Fanny's
history to make him fear that she never could be aught to him; and yet the
knowledge that he could not, must not, hope to win her, only rendered the
attraction stronger. He was intending to start for home the next day, and
had now come to spend a few minutes alone with Fanny ere he bade her
good-by. As he entered the room she ceased playing, and said, "I believe
you leave town tomorrow, do you not?"

"I do," replied Frank, "and am come to bid you good-by now; for when you
return I shall probably be looking on the dust, smoke and chimneys of the
Empire City." As Fanny made no answer, Frank continued, "Miss Middleton,
we shall meet again, I trust. Kate tells me that you are to accompany them
to New York this summer. I shall expect you and shall watch anxiously for
your coming."

Fanny replied, "I have thought of going North with Mrs. Miller, but it is
possible I may be disappointed."

"Disappointed!" repeated Frank; "you must not be disappointed, or
disappoint me either. I would hardly be willing to leave Frankfort if I
did not hope to see you again. And yet if we never do meet, I shall know
that I am a better man for having once seen and known you; and I shall
look back upon the few days spent in Kentucky as upon one of the bright
spots in my life."

We do not know what Fanny would have replied; for ere she had time to
answer Julia appeared in the door, calling out, "Come, Fan, the carriage
is ready. But, pray excuse me," continued she, as she saw Frank, "I had no
idea that I was interrupting so interesting a conversation as your looks
seem to indicate."

This increased Fanny's confusion, but she