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."