she
too was extended on the floor by the side of her ally.

Where during this exciting scene was Fanny? The direful sounds had reached
her ear, and now at the head of the stairs she listened to the Babel which
reigned in the parlor. High above all other voices she distinguished her
father's, who, in his uncontrollable fury, was calling to use all the
oaths he had ever heard of, besides manufacturing some expressly for the
occasion! Then there was a heavy fall, accompanied by a cry from Mrs.
Middleton of, "Lift her up--carry her out. Don't you see she is dying?"

Fanny hesitated no longer, but quickly descending the stairs, she forced
her way through the blacks into the parlor, where she stood appalled at
the scene before her. On the floor lay Julia, who a few moments before
stood there resplendent in beauty. Near her sat the maniac, Joseph Dunn.
He had recovered from his fainting fit, and was now crouching over the
prostrate form of Julia, laughing in delirious glee, as he wiped from her
lips the red drops of blood! In a corner of the room a group had gathered,
near an open window, through which they were bearing an inanimate object.
It was Florence, who had fainted, and as it seemed impossible to effect a
passage through the hall, so filled was it with terrified servants, they
had sought the window as the best means of egress.

Suddenly over that excited assembly there came a deep silence. It was
caused by the appearance of Fanny, who, with her loose white muslin
wrapper, and long curls, which floated over her shoulders, seemed like
some being from another world, come to stay that storm of passion. Mabel,
who was occupied with her cousin, looked back as the calm hush fell upon
them, and then and there she first saw Fanny Middleton. The scene was too
much for Fanny, and she, too, would have fainted had not Dr. Lacey caught
her in his arms. Clasping her slight form passionately to his bosom, he
exclaimed, "My own--my Fanny--my wife, for such you are, and such you will
be!"

Mr. William Middleton and Mr. Miller, who were bearing Julia from the
room, now passed them. Dr. Lacey glanced once at the corpse-like face over
which the heavy braids of long black hair had fallen, then with a shudder
he again strained Fanny to his heart, saying, "Thank God, thank God, I
escaped her in time!" Then turning to the minister, who all this time had
stood looking on in mute astonishment, he added, in an authoritative
manner, "Go on with