"I cannot."
"Too proud, eh?"
"Oh, you don't know my position," said poor Florence.
"Nonsense! Go up to your room and have a rest. I will come for you in a quarter of an hour. I have ordered dinner for two already. If you don't eat it, it will be thrown away."
"I am afraid it will have to be thrown away! I—I don't feel well."
"You are a goose; but if you are ill, you shall stay here and I will nurse you."
"No; I think I'll go upstairs. I want to be alone."
Florence staggered across the room as she spoke. Edith Franks looked at her for a moment in a puzzled way.
"I shall expect you down to dinner," she said. "Dinner will be ready in a quarter of an hour. Mind, I shall expect you."
Florence made no answer. She slowly left the room, closing the door after her, and retired to her own apartment.