"Yes, and you have a sister called Edith Franks," she answered.
All the colour had left her face, her eyes were full of a sort of dumb entreaty. Trevor gazed at her in astonishment.
"You must come back and see my mother, Franks," he continued, turning again to the young man. "It is very kind of you to offer your umbrella to Miss Aylmer, but I think you must share it with her."
There was no help for it. Florence had to walk under Mr. Franks's umbrella; she had seldom found herself in a more awkward position.
"Of course," she thought, "he will speak of the manuscript."
She rushed recklessly into conversation in order to avoid this, but in vain. During the first pause Mr. Franks said: "I have good news for you, Miss Aylmer. I showed your story to my chief, Anderson, last night. I begged of him to read it at once. He did so to oblige me. He will take it for the Argonaut. I thought you would be glad. He wants you to call at the office to-morrow, when he will arrange terms with you.—Forgive us, won't you, Trevor, for talking business; but it was such a chance, coming across Miss Aylmer like this, and I thought she would like to know as soon as possible what a great success she has made."
Trevor glanced at Florence in some astonishment.
"Does this mean that you write?" he said, "and that you have had an article accepted?"
"A very promising article accepted extremely willingly," said Franks. "Miss Aylmer deserves your hearty congratulations, Trevor. She is a very fortunate young lady indeed."
"I know I am, and I am grateful," said Florence.