“Let us see, Mr. Vivian,” she said to him, “what tomorrow will bring forth. At present everything is in confusion; by to-morrow we shall know the worst; what can be done, and what there will remain to do. Then Miss Wilton will be better able to judge in what you can be of service to her, and I have no doubt she will feel less reluctance to accept the kindly aid you have offered in such a friendly and worthy manner now.”
“A sensible girl, that,” thought Mr. Nutty, “works for her livin’, an’ ’ard, too, I’ll be bound!” He put down at the same moment in his inventory, “a peece of clokk wurk wownd up and goen; 1 nutmy graytur; 1 coles scuddel.”
Hal, seeing that the advice tendered by Lotte Clinton was acceptable to Flora, resolved to follow it, and turning to the former, he said—
“You understand far better than I do the way to manage in such a matter as this. I am only anxious to be of service, and my intention is sincere. I may, by a want of tact, produce an effect entirely opposite to that which I most desire. You are intelligent and good natured——”
“Thank you!” said Lotte, with a laugh.
“You are,” he repeated, “and I fancy you interpret justly my sincerity.”
“I am sure I do,” she answered promptly.
“Then I place myself in your hands; you will not leave Miss Wilton for the present?” he added.
“Not for a minute,” she replied.
“You are all that I could hope you to be,” he rejoined, “and if I can help you, you will send for me, won’t you?”