And I shouldn't be at all surprised if he were prowling about here, trying to get stolen interviews with Fanny." "Grace! How dare you suggest such a thing ?" exclaimed Mrs.Markland, with an energy and indignation almost new to her character.
Grace was rather startled by so unexpected a response from her sister-in-law, and for a moment or two looked abashed.
"Better be scared than hurt, you know, Agnes," she replied, coolly, as soon as she had recovered herself.
"Not if scared by mere phantoms of our own diseased imaginations," said Mrs.Markland.
"There is something more solid than a phantom in the present case, I'm afraid.

What do you suppose takes Fanny away so often, all by herself, to the Fountain Grove ?" "Grace Markland! What can you mean by such a question ?" The mother of Fanny looked frightened.
"I put the question to you for answer," said Grace, coolly.

"The time was, and that time is not very distant, when Fanny could scarcely be induced to go a hundred yards from the house, except in company.

Now, she wanders away alone, almost daily; and if you observe the direction she takes, you will find that it is toward Fountain Grove.

And John says that it was near this place that he met Mr.Lyon." "Mr.Willet, you mean," said Mrs.Markland, firmly.
"None are so blind as those who will not see," retorted Aunt Grace, in her impulsive way.