John Linden closed the secretary, and left the room, leaving Florence sobbing. The servants, too, retired, and Curtis was left alone with her.
"Florence," he said, "accept my hand, and I will reconcile my uncle to you. Say but the word, and----"
"I can never speak it, Curtis! I will take my uncle at his word.
Dodger, call for me to-morrow at eight, and I will accept your friendly services in finding me a new home."
"I"ll be on hand, miss. Good-night!"
"Be it so, obstinate girl!" said Curtis, angrily. "The time will come when you will bitterly repent your mad decision."
Chapter VII.
Florence Leaves Home.
Florence pa.s.sed a sleepless night. It had come upon her so suddenly, this expulsion from the home of her childhood, that she could not fully realize it. She could not feel that she was taking her last look at the familiar room, and well-remembered dining-room, where she had sat down for the last time for breakfast. She was alone at the breakfast table, for the usual hour was half-past eight, and she had appointed Dodger to call for her at eight.
"Is it true, Miss Florence, that you"re going away?" asked Jane, the warm-hearted table girl, as she waited upon Florence.
"Yes, Jane," answered Florence, sadly.
"It"s a shame, so it is! I didn"t think your uncle would be so hard-hearted."
"He is disappointed because I won"t marry my Cousin Curtis."
"I don"t blame you for it, miss. I never liked Mr. Waring. He isn"t half good enough for you."
"I say nothing about that, Jane; but I will not marry a man I do not love."
"Nor would I, miss. Where are you going, if I may make so bold?"
"I don"t know, Jane," said Florence, despondently.
"But you can"t walk about the streets."
"A trusty friend is going to call for me at eight o"clock; when he comes admit him."
"It is a--a young gentleman?"
"You wouldn"t call him such. He is a boy, a poor boy; but I think he is a true friend. He says he will find me a comfortable room somewhere, where I can settle down and look for work."
"Are you going to work for a living, Miss Florence?" asked Jane, horrified.
"I must, Jane."
"It"s a great shame--you, a lady born."
"No, Jane, I do not look upon it in that light. I shall be happier for having my mind and my hands occupied."
"What work will you do?"
"I don"t know yet. Dodger will advise me."
"Who, miss?"
"Dodger."
"Who is he?"
"It"s the boy I spoke of."
"Shure, he"s got a quare name."
"Yes; but names don"t count for much. It"s the heart I think of, and this boy has a kind heart."
"Have you known him long?"
"I saw him yesterday for the first time."
"Is it the young fellow who was here last night?"
"Yes."
"He isn"t fit company for the likes of you, Miss Florence."
"You forget, Jane, that I am no longer a rich young lady. I am poorer than even you. This Dodger is kind, and I feel that I can trust him."
"If you are poor, Miss Florence," said Jane, hesitatingly, "would you mind borrowing some money of me? I"ve got ten dollars upstairs in my trunk, and I don"t need it at all. It"s proud I"ll be to lend it to you."
"Thank you, Jane," said Florence, gratefully. "I thought I had but one friend. I find I have two----"
"Then you"ll take the money? I"ll go right up and get it."
"No, Jane; not at present. I have twenty dollars in my purse, and it will last me till I can earn more."
"But, miss, twenty dollars will soon go," said Jane, disappointed.
"If I find that I need the sum you so kindly offer me, I will let you know, I promise that."
"Thank you, miss."
At this point a bell rang from above.
"It"s from Mr. Curtis" room," said Jane.
"Go and see what he wants."