"I wish you were staying. I wish you were going to remain with us. Having you here is very pleasant, and you do more good here, perhaps, than you will elsewhere."
"I will not allow that. You forget that I have a father and mother."
"Yes; and you will have a husband soon."
"No, not soon; some day, perhaps, if all goes well. But I mean to be back here often before that. I mean to be here in October, just for a little visit, if mamma can spare me."
"Miss Burton," he said, speaking in a very serious tone—. All his tones were serious, but that which he now adopted was more solemn than usual. "I wish to consult you on a certain matter, if you can give me five minutes of your time."
"To consult me, Mr. Saul?"
"Yes, Miss Burton. I am hard pressed at present, and I know no one else of whom I can ask a certain question, if I cannot ask it of you. I think that you will answer me truly, if you answer me at all. I do not think you would flatter me, or tell me an untruth."
"Flatter you! how could I flatter you?"
"By telling me—; but I must ask you my question first. You and Fanny Clavering are dear friends now. You tell each other everything."
"I do not know," said Florence, doubting as to what she might best say, but guessing something of that which was coming.