"Yes, I know she is, but—"
"But what?" said Mrs. Miller. "Anything the trouble with Dr. Lacey?"
"Yes, that's it! That's it!" said Fanny in a low voice.
"Why, what's the matter? Is he sick?" asked Kate.
"Oh, no. If he were I would go to him. But, Mrs. Miller, for four long weeks he has not written me one word. Now if he were sick or dead, somebody would write to me; but it isn't that—I am afraid he's false. Julia thinks he is, and she is sorry for me, there is some comfort in that."
"Not written in four weeks? Perhaps he has written and his letters have been miscarried," said Kate.
"Oh, no, that cannot be," answered Fanny. "His first [pg 087] four letters came in the course of two weeks, but since then I have not had a word."
"Have you written to him since his letters ceased?" asked Kate.
"Yes, once, and I am sorry I did," answered Fanny; "but I asked Julia if I had better, and she said it would do no harm."
"Perhaps," said Mrs. Miller, "he is intending to return soon and wishes to surprise you, or it may be he is testing the strength of your attachment. But I would not suffer myself to be so much distressed until I was sure he was false. Come, dry your eyes and go with me to the parlor. There are some young gentlemen here from New York. One of them is Dr. Lacey's cousin. He wishes to see you."