“With all that money, the Beresfords have only two children, a son and daughter, to inherit it.”

“Is—is—the son married?” asked Floy, timidly; and they all laughed.

“What a question! Are you thinking of setting your cap for him, princess! No, he is not married yet, though they do say he has fallen in love with Mr. Maury’s eldest daughter. She is very lovely and stylish, and comes here often. St. George Beresford comes here, too, with his mother now and then. He is perfectly splendid.”

Floy wondered, with a throbbing heart, what they would say if they knew that she was betrothed to this grand Beresford.

CHAPTER XVI.
A CRUEL PERSECUTION.

Floy went home that evening from the store with a blithe heart.

The meeting with St. George Beresford’s mother had been a delight to the innocent girl.

The great lady’s graciousness had thrilled her with hope.

She remembered how anxiously her lover had admitted that he must conciliate his little world before his marriage.