"In health? Oh, yes," she answered. "But I am in trouble. That is why I sent for you."
"You did right. I am here to help you. You may rely upon me, Florence."
"I do, dear. Tell me first. How is my dear mother--and my dear father--how are they, Dick?"
"You know how they must be, Florence, loving you as they do. They are in the most terrible trouble about you. Uncle Rob has been hunting all over London for you. I don't wish to distress you, but they have not had a moment's rest. It is right that I should tell you this."
"You are quite right, dear. Poor mother and father! It cuts me to the heart, but I could not act in any other way. You shall judge, Dick--you shall judge--and if you condemn me----"
"Don't give way, Florence."
"I won't. I will be brave. I have been brave to do what I have done. Such a cruel thing, such a cruel, cruel thing!--but it was my duty--my duty! Oh, Dick, if you knew what love was, you would know of what it was capable. I may speak to you, dear, as a sister to a brother, may I not?"
"Yes, Florence, as a sister to a brother," he said, quietly.
"I can understand now so many things to which I was blind a year ago--what love will lead a woman to do, how it can harden the heart----"
"Harden the heart!" he cried.