CHAPTER XXV.
GEOFFREY HAYWOOD AT WORK—A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE.
On the same afternoon that Carlos had so nearly betrayed himself to Florence Darley by his wild outburst, and shortly after his departure, Geoffrey Haywood called at Elm Grove.
He was just in time to be invited to remain at tea, and he accepted the invitation.
He observed that Florence did not appear to be entirely calm, that her mind was agitated, but on this he made no remark.
It was not until after tea, when they were seated in the drawing-room, that he entered into serious conversation with her.
“Florence,” he said, “there are certain business affairs that must be talked over at some time, and this occasion seems to me a favorable one to open the subject.”
“Yes,” was her simple rejoinder.
“The time for the distinct settlement of some matters is near at hand, the period mentioned in the notice to creditors to put in their claims having nearly arrived. Thanks to Colonel Conrad’s admirable business management, the creditors are few, and their claims are small. The amount of property, after all settlements are made, will be about two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, besides Elm Grove.You are aware that, by the terms of the will, fifty thousand dollars are left to sundry charitable and educational institutions; the homestead here is left to you unconditionally, and that the balance is left to me in trust for my own use, with the exception of an annual income of three thousanddollars to be paid to you. But if you marry, one-half of the fortune is to be made over to you, intact and unconditionally, while the other half is mine. If you do not marry, the before-mentioned terms remain in force during your life.”
“Yes, I understand all that,” said Florence.