h Consp

t in possession of the field. Through his machination

t of soon succeeding, for though only fifty-four, John Linden looked

t table an hour after Florence had left the h

heart. Though he loved himself best, he was really in love with

that-but he persuaded himself that

table, after the death of his uncle, whic

him, the more he determined to

rit John Linden's wealth, and by ma

e of her youth, to renounce luxury for a

face became set and its expr

master of her fate, and bend her to my will. Foolish girl, how dare sh

account of his uncle's chronic invalidism, they had neither gone into society, nor entertained visito

o meet young men who might have

he house, Jane?" he inquired, a

d, coldly, for she disliked Curtis as

hould be so headstrong," said C

away from her own uncle

y-very f

sir. She had her reasons,"

s cou

nce had talked over the ma

re she was going

he poor child kn

he go

hat was here last n

fully. "She certainly shows extraordi

boy," said Jane, who had been quite won b

position in life is very humble. He is probably a bootblack; a

at isn't half so good," retorted Ja

Florence t

e just

k some cloth

that is all. She wil

re she is living, ju

ing to have me," answe

et that you are not her servant, but my uncle's. It

told that, sir. I kn

him that your faithful servic

ul to both,

uncle is justly displ

d, but I am sure he ha

t as she was, seemed to be openly defying hi

to be lacking in respect to me. You don't ap

med to get my poor young mistress ou

scharge you, girl," said C

nt, sir. You have no

s it is your attachment to Miss Florence that has made you forget yourse

reakfast-room. His face was sad, and he heaved a sigh as he glance

t, and placing himself at his u

rning, uncle?" he asked,

didn't sleep w

, sir. You had

Florenc

e, promptly. "She left

peared on John Li

a message for me?

ou good-by for her," a

with painful thoughts. Eat your breakfast

ast. He seemed to have lost his app

table, Curtis support

nduct of Florence's, Curtis," he

urtis. "When I think of it, it makes m

e been too har

e the soul of gentleness. Florence

d to live again in her. Have I not acted cruelly

for good. You are s

y think th

sure o

sked Linden, bending an anxi

rence y

e sure

most girls of her age. She foolishly desires to have he

use. That seems to show

slightest idea of any permanent separation. She is merely experimenting upon your we

ade Mr. Linden angry to

nk that?

no doubt

esolute," he said, irritabl

onditionally within a fortnight. A little patience, and y

me. I will be patient. But I hope I shan't h

ought Curtis. "I shall have a difficult par