"I don't think Mrs. Bryant cares for me much. She is different—but of course she doesn't mean to be unkind."
"If I come, I shall not stay. Mind that. When have you got to be in? Nine o'clock? And how far-off? We can take it easily. You've grown any amount—and you're not such a bad-looking girl either. Quite tolerable."
"Felix, you'll be nice to uncle Bryant." She laid her hand pleadingly on his arm. "Please do."
"Why shouldn't I? Oh, you mean what I used to say. A boy's fancy. It is a good thing you are able to be here."
"When will you have a home for me?"
"Can't say, I'm sure. It's slow work. However, I have news to tell. I am going to London."
"To leave Brighton?"
"Yes. It is Mr. Kelly's doing. He has a living there, and he is getting me into a first-rate house of business. No, not a stationer's. Tea-trade. Not a retail shop, but a wholesale house of business. If I do well, there's no reason why I shouldn't make my fortune some day. Everybody says I am capital in that line. I mean to stick to it, and lay by, and sooner or later I may become a partner. At least I hope so. I don't see why not. I'll be a successful man in time. Life would not be worth living without."
Lettice thought of the dying message of Cecilia. Had he no recollection of those burning words?
"Is it always the best thing for one to be successful?" she asked.