is sorry for
it."

"Knows what? Sorry for what? Why don't you tell?" said Mr. Middleton,
stalking back and forth through the porch, and setting down his feet as
heavily as if he would crush everything which might fall beneath his
tread.

"I cannot tell you now," said Fanny; "but when we are alone, you shall
know all."

In a few moments William thought proper to retire, and as his example was
soon followed by Julia, Fanny was left alone with her parents. Drawing her
stool nearer to her father, and laying her hot, feverish forehead on his
hand, she said, "Before I give any explanation, I wish you to make me a
promise."

"Promise of what?" asked her father and mother, simultaneously.

"It is not probable," answered Fanny, "that you will ever see Dr. Lacey
again, but if you do, I wish you never to mention to him what I am about
to tell you."

The promise was readily given by Mrs. Middleton, but her husband demurred,
saying, "I shan't commit myself until I know what 'tis. If Dr. Lacey has
been cuttin' up, why I'll cowhide him, that's all."

"Then I shall not tell you," was Fanny's firm reply.

Her father saw she was in earnest, and replied, "What's got your back up
so high, Sunshine? I never knew you had so much grit. What's the reason
you don't want Dr. Lacey to hear of it?"

"Because," said Fanny, hesitatingly, "because I do not wish him to know
how much I care about it; and besides, it can do no possible good. Now,
father, promise you will not tell him or any one else."

Mr. Middleton was finally persuaded, and his promise given, Fanny knew it
would not be broken, for her father prided himself on keeping his word. So
she gave an account of Dr. Lacey's conduct, and ended her narrative by
producing a letter, which she supposed came from him. Up to the moment Mr.
Middleton had sat perfectly still; but meantime his wrath had waxed warmer
and warmer, until at last it could no longer be restrained, but burst
forth in such a storm of fury as made Fanny stop her ears.

She, however, caught the words, "And I was fool enough to promise not to
say a word. Well, thank the Lord, I didn't promise not to shoot the puppy.
Let me catch him within pistol shot of me, and I'll pop him over as I
would a woodchuck. And if he don't come back, I'll go all the way to New
Orleans for the sake of doin' on't. I'll larn him to fool with my gal;
yes, I will!"

Fanny's fears for Dr. Lacey's safety were immediately roused; and again
wer