y offered. But not so with her. She did not expect
any protestations of love, for she knew he felt none. Yet she was hardly
satisfied, and resolved upon one movement more ere she accepted what she
felt was reluctantly given.

"You are mistaken in me," said she, "if you think I will play for a
husband, and then expect him to comply with the terms unless he chooses to
do so."

Dr. Lacey replied, "When I consented to play, I knew what I was about, and
I knew, too, that you love me. I cannot say the same to you in return, but
you are far from being indifferent to me. When I first knew you I disliked
you, for I believed you to be passionate, jealous and designing; nor do I
think my opinion of you then was wrong; but you are changed, very much
changed. Continue to be what you are now, and we may be happy, for I may
learn to love you, but never as fondly, as madly, as I loved your sister;
ay, as I could love her again; but enough of this. She was false; she
deceived me, and now I will wed you."

And what said Julia to all this? Why, she sat bolt upright, listening
attentively while Dr. Lacey expressed his former and present opinion of
her. When he had finished, she ventured to acknowledge her love for him;
said she had always loved him, and that as his wife she would try to make
him happy. Perhaps she was sincere in this, for she did love Dr. Lacey as
well as her selfish nature would suffer her to love any one, and she had
resolved, if she ever married him, to do all in her power to atone, if
possible, for the past.

A half hour longer they conversed of the future, and arranged the plan,
which Julia next day wrote to her sister. At last Dr. Lacey exclaimed,
"Come, Julia, you must go now; it is getting late, for see,"--pointing to
the little clock; but as if astonished at what it had heard, the clock had
stopped!

CHAPTER XXI

STIRRING EVENTS

Great was Mr. Middleton's surprise when informed by Dr. Lacey of his
engagement with Julia. Something in his countenance must have betrayed it,
for Dr. Lacey said, "You seem astonished, sir. Are you displeased?"

"Certainly not; I am glad," answered Mr. Middleton. "Yet I confess I was
surprised, for I had never thought of such a thing. Once I had hoped you
would marry Fanny, but since Frank Cameron has rendered that impossible,
you cannot do better than take Julia. She is intelligent, accomplished and
handsom