[CHAPTER VI.]
True to his word, Laurie Meredith called at the home of Flower next day to ask her mother's consent to his betrothal to the lovely girl who had won his heart.
"My darling, what is it?" he cried, eagerly, as he drew her to his breast. "You have not repented your promise to be mine?"
"No, no," she whispered; and he soon learned the story of Maria's death, Mrs. Fielding's terrible excitement, and her refusal to see any one—even her daughters.
"It is very strange. One would not have supposed she would be so fond of her old servant as to turn gray with grief," he said, feeling that there was something mysterious about Mrs. Fielding's case, yet not dreaming of the terrible influence that mystery was fated to bear upon his own future.
Flower was so frightened at her mother's condition that she dared not go to her and tell her that Laurie Meredith wished to see her. She persuaded her lover to wait until her mother should be herself again.
"Or until poor Maria's funeral is over, at least. Then she will be calmer and more composed, Laurie, dear."
He promised most unwillingly. He was eager to have it all settled at once—to make sure that there would be no opposition offered by Flower's mother. A dim fear that Jewel would influence Mrs. Fielding to reject his suit had haunted him since last night, although not for worlds would he have hinted it to Flower, who was so sensitive about accepting his love, on account of her sister.
"You know, sweet one, I must go away soon," he said. "I had a letter from my father this morning, and he wishes me to go abroad to finish my education in a German university."