Thus the young man raved for nearly half an hour about Mrs. Carrington, whose handsome features, glossy curls, bright eyes, brilliant complexion and agreeable manners had nearly turned his head. Mrs. Carrington, too, had received an impression. There was something in Raymond’s dashing manner, which she called "air," and she felt greatly pleased with his flattering compliments. She thought he would be a very pleasant companion to flirt with for an hour or two; but could she have known what his real intentions concerning her were she would have spurned him with contempt—as she afterward did. The next day at dinner Stanton and Raymond took their seats at Mrs. Crane’s table. To Raymond’s great delight Mrs. Carrington sat opposite him. Stanton occupied Dr. Lacey’s seat, which brought Fanny directly in front of him. Fanny had been prepared in a measure for the striking resemblance between Stanton and Dr. Lacey; but when she was introduced to him, his looks brought Dr. Lacey so forcibly before her that she instantly grew pale and half wished to leave the room. But a look from Mrs. Miller reassured her, and she took her accustomed place at the table. Ere dinner was over she had forgotten for the time her lover’s neglect, and was in the midst of an animated conversation with Stanton, who was much pleased with his cousin’s choice. Stanton’s looks and manners were so much like Dr. Lacey’s that Fanny felt herself irresistibly drawn toward him and her face assumed a brighter aspect than it had worn for many days. Julia watched her closely and felt that nothing could please her better than a flirtation between Stanton and her sister. But such was not a part of Fanny’s intentions. She liked Stanton because he was agreeable, intelligent and Dr. Lacey’s cousin; but she would sooner have parted with her right hand than have done anything inconsistent with her engagement with Dr. Lacey. On the other hand, Stanton’s heart was too strongly fortified with Nellie’s charms to admit of an entrance to the gentle Fanny. But he admired her very much, and seemed to think that she had some claim upon him in the absence of his cousin. Thus, as days went on, his polite attentions toward Fanny increased, and Julia resolved to make this fact work for the accomplishment of her designs. CHAPTER X TEMPEST FORGES A LETTER AND ITS RESULTS Let us now go back for a few weeks and watch Julia’s plot as it progresses. We have learned from Fanny that four letters arrived from Dr. Lacey; but the fifth she was destined never to receive. She was expecting it on Tuesday and was about going to the post office, when Julia said, "Fanny, I feel just like walking this morning; suppose you let me run round to the post office and get your expected letter." "Very well," answered Fanny; "but don’t be gone long."