“Mrs. Dainty does not wish me any longer to hold the place of governess to her children,” said Florence.
Uncle John was silent for some moments. He then said,—
“How did this happen? Tell me every thing freely.”
Florence related what had passed between her and Mrs. Dainty at the hurried interview preceding her departure from the house.
“You must go back again,” said Uncle John, after Florence had finished her brief narrative.
“Impossible!” was her firm answer.
“Say not so, Florence.”
“Impossible, Mr. Fleetwood! Impossible! I am not strong enough to bear all this insult and indignity. I can suffer pain, or even death; but my spirit will not brook humiliation like this! Only for the children’s sake have I remained up to this day.”
“And only for their sakes would I still have you remain,” said Uncle John.
“But the door is shut against me; and I will never knock to have it opened,” said the young girl, with an indignant spirit; “never! never!” She repeated the words very firmly.