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
handsome, and although she has some faults, your influence over her will
lead her to correct them."

Unlike this was the reception which the intelligence met with from Dr.
Lacey's negroes.

"What that ar you sayin'," asked Aunt Dilsey of Rondeau, who was
communicating the important news to Leffie.

"You'd better ask," replied Rondeau. "Who do you suppose Marster George is
goin' to fetch here to crack our heads for us?"

"Dun know--Miss Mabel, maybe," said Aunt Dilsey.

"No, sir; Miss Mabel is bad enough, but she can't hold a candle to this
one," answered Rondeau.

"You don't mean Miss July," shrieked rather than asked Aunt Dilsey.

"I don't mean nobody else, mother Dilsey," said Rondeau.

Up flew Aunt Dilsey's hands in amazement, and up rolled her eyes in
dismay. "I 'clar for't," said she, "if Marster George has done made such a
fool of hisself, I hope she'll pull his bar a heap worse than she did
Jack's."