Carlton was not in the practice of meeting Florinda at the palace; the manifest impropriety of the thing rendered this out of the question. It was the practice of Florinda to call at certain periods at the palace of a relation in the environs of the city, and here Carlton often went to meet her; it was hard by the monastery where she had been educated, and where they had first met. The two sat together one twilight hour; it was their chosen time of meeting.
"Carlton," said Florinda.
"Well, dearest."
"Why dost thou—" here Florinda hesitated.
"Speak freely; what would you ask?"
"You will not be offended?"
"Indeed, no!"
"Nor think strange of me?"
"Nay, I promise thee."
"Then—"