"They shall not clash, my darling child, and of course I will bless you. I only want you to be happy; but I fear that you are grasping too eagerly at happiness—what if it were to be taken from you?"
Flora shuddered from head to foot, and cried, "Oh, don't, don't, mamma dearest,—let me be happy whilst I may without thinking of dark possibilities; only bless me and"—in a low tone—"him!"
Mrs. Adair kissed her with overweaning affection, and said, "God bless you, my own sweet child, and give him whom you love the great boon of Faith. Take her again, Mr. Earnscliffe, she is indeed yours." Once more she placed her hand in Mr. Earnscliffe's, who again drew her round to his side as he replied—
"Mrs. Adair, I can only say, as before, that you shall see how little cause you will have to regret letting me have her at once. And let it be all arranged now. When may we be married?"
"We expect to reach Paris in about ten days; there, if you choose; all the necessary preparations can be made, and the marriage solemnized."
"That will answer so nicely. From Paris I can take a run to England, and have the settlements—of which you and I, Mrs. Adair, can speak at our leisure—drawn up."
"There are not any settlements to be made, Edwin," said Flora, shyly, and for the first time calling him by his Christian name; "you know I have not any fortune."
"But I must make a provision for all future possibilities. Suppose, for instance, that you were to be left a widow; you must have a jointure."
"You are as bad as mamma, I declare—you both seem to foresee nothing but misfortunes for me."
"Heaven forbid!" exclaimed Mrs. Adair. "But we had better go in now; it is getting late and chilly."