Royal Ainsley laid himself out to please the mother as he had never attempted to please an elderly woman before.
"You asked me to play over a new piece of music for you when you came. If you will please excuse me for a moment, I will get it," said Florence, glancing up shyly at him with laughing eyes, as much as to say, "I am going to give you a chance for the longed-for interview with mamma"—a look which Royal Ainsley answered with a nod. Florence had scarcely reached the upper landing ere Royal Ainsley left his seat, and walked eagerly over to Mrs. St. John's side.
"My dear lady," he began, dropping into a seat opposite her, "I want to tell you a little story and hear your opinion about it."
Mrs. St. John was wise enough to know what was coming, but she did not betray more than the usual interest.
"It is the story of a young man who wished to possess a treasure which belonged to another. He yearned for it with all his soul.
"My dear lady, not to beat further round the bush, let me say I am the young man who wishes to possess the treasure which you hold as sacred. That treasure is your beautiful daughter Florence, my dear lady. I love her with all my heart. I want your consent to make her my wife."
"Dear, dear me!" exclaimed Mrs. St. John, apparently greatly frustrated. "I hope you have not spoken a word of this to the dear child."
"Yes, I have, and we have both determined to abide by your decision, as to how long we shall have to wait, though we both hope you will set as early a day as possible."
"Remember that my Florence is only a school-girl yet," declared the mother. "I could not think of parting from her yet."
"Dear, dear lady!" cried Royal Ainsley, "do not doom me to such pitiful suspense, I beg of you! There are some men who could wait with much patience, but I am not one of them. I should have to go away and travel incessantly."