Part 36 (1/2)
”May I see it?” asked Dr. Lacey.
Julia seemed at first reluctant, but finally replied, ”Perhaps it will be as well to let you do so, for you may then judge more kindly of f.a.n.n.y”; and she placed in his hands the soiled sheets of paper which we saw in her room.
Leaning back she watched him while he read. As we have as much right to read f.a.n.n.y's journal as Dr. Lacey, we will here give a few brief extracts:
April-”Cease your wild beatings, my heart. Mr. Wilmot is promised to Julia. He will never be mine, but nought can prevent my loving him; ay, forever and ever.”
August 1st-”I do not believe I am indifferent to Mr. Wilmot, but he will be true to his vows-he will wed Julia; and this doctor that bothers me so, what of him? Why, he is wealthy, and high, and handsome-but I do not love him; yet if he offers himself I shall say yes, for, as Mrs. Carrington says, 'he is a great catch.'”
Sept. 5-”Mr. Wilmot is dead, and with him died my poor, poor heart. Had he lived, he possibly might have turned to me, for Julia knew how much I loved him. Dear, generous Julia, how I wish Dr. Lacey would love her, for she is more worthy of him than I am.”
Jan. 1-”Heigh ho, I'm engaged to Dr. Lacey! Who would think it? Now I am happy! Oh, no. Out in the graveyard lies one who could have made me happy.
Ought I thus to deceive Dr. Lacey? Why, yes; if he is satisfied, it is well enough. I am ambitious, and if I can't marry for love, I will for money. And then he's given me so beautiful a piano. Oh, I hope he'll send me more presents after he gets home!”
Jan. 15-”Dr. Lacey has gone and I feel relieved. But just think of it-Julia loves him devotedly. I wish he knew it. She has always loved him and tries to make me do the same. She read me a sermon today two hours long about my duty. Fudge on my duty! As long as I can make Joshua and Dr.
Lacey think I'm all suns.h.i.+ne, it's no matter if my love is all moons.h.i.+ne.”
This journal was interspersed here and there with tears, and was so exact an imitation of f.a.n.n.y's writing that Dr. Lacey was completely duped. He, however, wondered that Julia should show it to him. She had foreseen this, and as he was reading the last few lines she was looking over her portfolio. Suddenly springing up, she s.n.a.t.c.hed the paper from his hands, saying, ”Oh, what have I done? I've shown you the wrong part of the journal. I did not mean you to see this. What shall I do? You'll hate f.a.n.n.y and despise me.”
”Why despise you?” asked Dr. Lacey.
”Because,” replied Julia, ”you will dislike me for the foolish thing which Fan wrote about me. I could not help her writing it.”
”And is it true?” asked Dr. Lacey.
”Oh, you must not ask me that-I can't tell-I shan't tell-” and seizing her portfolio Julia started off toward the house, thinking possibly she should be pursued. But she was not.
During the reading of the journal Dr. Lacey's heart seemed to go through a benumbing process, which rendered it perfectly palsied. No emotion either of love or anger did he feel toward f.a.n.n.y. She was nought to him.
And how did the knowledge that Julia loved him affect him? Answer, any man, whether your wounded pride is never soothed by woman's sympathy, and love, come in what garb it may. And in Dr. Lacey's case it was a being of wondrous beauty, who knew well what she was about and had marked each inch of ground ere she trod upon it. What marvel then that Dr. Lacey turned toward her. You would have done so; ay, perchance sooner than he did.
That evening after supper, as Dr. Lacey was walking upon the veranda, Florence approached him, saying, ”Come, Dr. Lacey, now fulfill your promise of playing with Julia,” at the same time leading him toward the place where her companions were seated. ”Now,” said she, placing the chessboard in his hands, ”I am mistress of ceremonies. We will have a fair understanding. If Julia beats, you shall be hers; if you beat, Mabel and Lida shall draw cuts for you. Do you agree to it?”
”Certainly,” was Dr. Lacey's reply, at the same time seating himself opposite Julia, who gave him a look of searching inquiry. He understood her and in a low tone answered, ”I am in earnest. Do your best.”
And she did her best. With one strong effort of the will she concentrated all her energies upon that game, which she felt would decide her fate. Dr.
Lacey, too, as if resolved to conquer, played most skillfully. The bystanders for a time looked on, and as Lida noticed the livid hue of Julia's face, she said, ”Pray, Julia, don't burst a blood vessel, for maybe Dr. Lacey will have you, even if you do not beat.”
But the ear she addressed was deaf save to the quiet sound of the chessmen. The contest was long and severe. Nine, ten, eleven, struck the little clock in the hall. One by one the spectators stole away. Florence's parting words were, ”If Dr. Lacey beats, be sure and wake us, Julia, so Mabel and Lida can draw cuts.”