Bertha M. Clay

“ Shall we steadily put the bygone years behind us, and look forward—always forward?”
She no longer withheld herself from his embrace—she no longer hesitated to ask herself why he had not said this sooner. His eyes were looking into hers. She knew even without words or promises that she had his love; and if her tears began to flow fast they were not sorrowful ones.
“You will be mine at once, Florence?” he said, as they again walked on together. “As quietly and privately as you please, but let it be at once.” ”

“ Florence grew very pale. Mrs. Margaret Blunden—who knew and condemned her brother’s follies—had exacted from her a promise never to be tempted to touch this bequest; and her niece had freely given it, for it was their little all. She knew but too well that there was nothing else left to them, and she held it sacred, for it was her steadfast purpose when Mr. Heriton saw the hopelessness of his speculations to devote it to the purchase of an annuity for him. The more madly he launched into fresh schemes the more firmly Florence clung to this sum of money for his sake. ”

“ There was even a pale tint of the rose on her cheek as she turned her steps homeward, but she was so fragile-looking that one of the governesses, coming briskly from her daily avocation, stopped, and, after a moment’s hesitation, came and spoke to her with sympathizing kindness.
“I am afraid you have been ill, Miss Heriton? We had missed you from the window. Will you accept my arm down the street?”
Florence took it as frankly as it was offered. The pale, oval face, the smoothly braided brown hair, and neat gray dress of this gentlewoman irresistibly attracted her. ”

“ And I must have his assurance that they are false before I can rest.”
“But, dear papa, would it not be better to have an interview with him yourself?”
Mr. Heriton struck his hands together.
“I cannot get it, child. I have been to his chambers two—three times, and the cringing, fawning, lying servant tells me always that he is out, although others are admitted. They are weary, I suppose, of the sight of the old man who haunts them so persistently. But I cannot rest, Florence—I cannot rest until I know that our money is safe.” ”

“ Mr. Heriton, pleased to have so patient a listener, would fetch out his papers, and sketch, and plan, and lose himself in endless calculations, while Mrs. Bick, knitting in hand, would sit by and nod and doze until the curls dropped over the bridge of her nose and awoke her.
When the glorious harvest moon arose, and nightly flooded the fair earth with her radiance, it seemed too beautiful to stay indoors, and Florence would wander up and down the garden, while her father joined Daniel Bick in the porch. ”

“ Florence,” he added, almost wildly, “don’t torture me with doubts and reproaches. Mason has assured me that the money is safe, and he would not deceive me; he dare not, I tell you—he dare not!”
“Hush, papa!” said Florence gently. “We’ll never mention it again. I’m sure you meant well, so we’ll wait and hope.”
His looks cleared.
“Yes, yes, love, we’ll hope. Now you are my kind, sensible child once more. We’ll hope, Florry; and when the hope becomes a certainty, and we go back to Northumberland, my darling shall have a tiara of pearls for her pretty brown hair, from her fond father. ”

“ She had the hectic color and fragile form of continual suffering, and every time Mr. Heriton raised his voice or pushed a chair out of his way she put her hand to her side as if to stay the quickened beating of her heart. But she answered him cheerfully, with a smile on her lip, though a close observer might have detected in her eyes an anxious scrutiny of her restless husband, who was both moody and irritable.
“Is it not time we dined?” he asked. “It seems to me that our servants do as they please with us.” ”

“ Go, Florence—leave me; I can bear no more.”
But instead of quitting the room, she threw her arms around his neck, beseeching him to pardon her if she seemed unkind.
“I do not doubt you, my own dear papa. How could I? Are we not all in all to each other? Let me work for you—let me earn money for you! I should be the happiest of the happy if your little comforts were purchased by my exertions. But don’t ask me again for Uncle Blunden’s bequest; I have promised Aunt Margaret that I will not touch it, and you would despise your daughter if she broke her word.” ”

“ Poor, dear Richard! whom I remember the handsomest and most-popular man in Northumberland. Kiss me, and forgive me, Florence. I’ll never say such cruel things again, and you shall keep your name. It’s one of the oldest in England. There is not a more ancient or honorable family anywhere than the Heritons, let who will say to the contrary.”
Florence gave her impulsive relative the kiss she asked, and then inquired what Mrs. Blunden’s arrangements were, and when she proposed that they should take their departure from Orwell Court. ”

“ And propose to be married to-morrow?” cried Aunt Margaret sarcastically. “Surely, Florence, you are no party to this—well, I really must call it indecorous haste?”
“My dear Mrs. Blunden,” said Mr. Aylwinne, interposing to prevent Florence’s reply, “if we are assured that we love each other, and may hope to spend our future together, what delay is required? Why oppose my wish to commence our new life as quickly as possible?” ”

“ With just the nice degree of empressement the occasion warranted, Mr. Aylwinne held out his hand, and hoped that Miss Heriton would be comfortable at Orwell Court with his worthy friend Mrs. Wilson.
There was not a fault to be found with his words or manner. It was just what a generous employer’s should be to the lady whose services he accepted. But the hand that touched Florence’s was cold and trembling, and her timid glance at his dark face showed her that he never looked up while addressing her. ”

“ For a long time they could not conquer their dread of the daily visit to the vicarage and the sly taunts leveled at them by lads of their own age whose acquirements were far beyond their own. But Florence walked to Mr. Lumley’s with them, often awaited their return, and had so much sympathy for their troubles mingled with such brave, hopeful auguries for their future, that Walter grew too manly to fret over little difficulties, and Fred had too much boyish pride not to imitate him. ”

“ Heriton’s feeble hand had traced these words only a few hours before she died:
“Thursday, May, 18—.—Mr. Dormer left us yesterday for India. Even as I imagined, he loves my darling, and hopes to return some day rich enough to wed her. Heaven bless and prosper him! For he is a good young man, and it comforts and strengthens me to think that there is some one in this wide world who will protect her when I am gone. Perhaps I am too romantic in hoping this, but so pure a love will surely outlast the sad changes which I am compelled to dread. My poor Richard—my poor little Florence!” ”

“ A moment’s struggle, and he sprang desperately forward. Better to know the worst than endure such horrible suspense.
Thank Heaven, she was still there—still clinging to the friendly roots. But her head had dropped on her shoulder, her fortitude was fast failing, and she was moaning piteously. She must have fallen ere long if Frank Dormer had not climbed quickly to her side and thrown his sustaining arm around her.
He was strong, agile, and a practiced climber, but he found it no easy task to descend the slippery cliff encumbered with Florence. ”

“ Heriton’s heiress ought to be, her mother’s thoughtful tenderness secured her perfect freedom for as many more. Thus Florence, brought up in the healthful seclusion of the priory—never permitted to exhibit her acquirements and receive the ill-judging admiration of visitors—was still a happy, artless child, with only enough of the woman to cherish a secret thought that if she grew up and ever consented to leave dear, suffering mamma and marry, it must be for just such a man as Frank Dormer. ”

“ I must work for papa and myself, and—I want to be a governess.”
Susan Denham sighed, and Julia impulsively exclaimed:
“Oh, choose any life but ours, Miss Heriton! You little know the slights you would have to contend with—all your best feelings trampled on—all your aspirations crushed beneath the contempt or indifference of your sordid employers. You must be a lady in appearance, in education, in tastes and sympathies, or you are not fit to be the instructress of their children. ”

“ Heriton, quivering with passion, put her forcibly from him.
“I believe, Miss Heriton, that Mrs. Blunden has on more than one occasion expressed a wish that you should take up your residence with her. I withdraw my opposition to her request; you are perfectly at liberty to go whenever you please. You have forfeited my affection by your selfish and deceitful conduct; you have chosen to be guided by an illiberal woman, who has no sisterly affection for me. Go to her, and forget that you have a father, as I shall try to forget that I have ever had a child!”
“Papa, you cannot mean this!” ”

“ Mason’s a gentleman and a man of honor. It’s I who am to blame for doubting him. Only take this note to him; insist on seeing him, and explain and smooth away my folly in being so fearful. Remind him that I am old, and have been terribly tried and played upon by designing men. He will listen to you, Florry, my darling, and my mind will be at ease. Only go, dear, quickly!”
It was impossible to refuse this pitiful appeal, and, though much against her will, Florence went. ”

“ Mr. Aylwinne walked on a few paces without speaking; then, bending toward her, he said softly:
“Poor little Florence! Has the past left such a dark cloud that you cannot shake it off? I hoped in the peaceful seclusion of Orwell Court, where every one who knows you loves you, your natural cheerfulness would return.”
She did not reply. She could not tell him that it was the inexplicable barrier between them which robbed her life of its sunshine.
“You must have a change,” Mr. Aylwinne went on. “You shall go to the seaside for a few weeks or longer. ”

“ Dormer spoke too hastily, Florence,” said her mother. “If he leaves friends here whom he values, he will come back some day to them. Now say good-by once more, and run away, unless you wish to spoil my night’s rest.”
Florence instantly obeyed, but her faltering farewell and the wistful glance of her soft eyes made Frank forget himself. He put his arms around her and pressed his lips to her forehead; then turned to the fireplace and shaded his face with his hand till the closing of the door told him she had gone.
Then he went to Mrs. Heriton. ”

“ Do you think you can content yourself in a tiny country cottage, Miss Heriton?”
“Dear Susan, you shall see that I will put aside all my fastidious likes and dislikes. Indeed, I am more in earnest than you seem to imagine,” said Florence gravely.
“I do not doubt your earnestness; I only ask myself how you will bear with the difficulties of the career you have chosen—with the requirements of exacting mothers, the obstinacy or pettishness of their children. ”

“ I have faith in you—great faith. So much, that, were Florence older, I would thankfully see her yours. But I can do nothing. I have been weak and helpless all my life. I can only strive for strength to leave my dear ones to wiser guardianship than mine. But it will comfort me to hear you promise that, under any circumstances, you will protect and befriend my child if she needs it.”
“I promise it, on my soul, Mrs. Heriton,” the young man answered, reverently bending his head. ”

“ The lonely Florence bore up bravely through this time of trial. If saddening thoughts of those happy days when she wandered hand in hand with Frank Dormer beside the Coquet ever came to trouble her, they were quickly banished; and even her mother’s journal, which had so long fed her hopes of his return, was laid at the bottom of her desk, that she might not be tempted to read and ponder over it. ”

“ Blunden liked children—that is, boys; girls were too quiet in their habits to please her. Before she had been at Orwell Court three days she had made the acquaintance of all Walter’s and Fred’s schoolfellows, and organized cricket and running matches, and archery meetings, at which she presided in state, and gave prizes to the winners. The sight of her cheerful face and portly figure was hailed with delight at the vicarage, where she soon made herself quite at home both with Mr. Lumley and the prim little lady, his only sister, who resided with him. ”

“ When they were fairly out of sight of the tall rows of houses, amid which she had been so long immured, Florence began to breathe more freely, and her spirits to recover their natural elasticity. Work would not seem so toilsome, privations so hard to endure, when the green fields and trees were once more around her; and when they alighted at the Kirton Station, and her father began to complain of the length of the walk that followed, her smiles and merry sallies wiled him into forgetfulness of his fatigue. ”

“ Their love must be forgotten, and they must be content to be friends.
Florence rebelled against this conclusion. Young, warm-hearted, and free, she felt that she could have loved him devotedly. What, she asked herself, could it be that intervened to keep them apart? Could it be that Frank, in his vexation at Mr. Heriton’s refusal, had betrothed himself to another? ”

“ Florence cried joyfully. “Papa has had some business transactions with him, and I could not help feeling uneasy as to the results.”
“The lieutenant would not be very much pleased if he knew the suspicions you entertain,” said Julia. “At least, I should think not.”
“If I have done him injustice, I am very sorry,” was the earnest reply.
She was heard with a laughing reminder that it is the fate of public men to hear themselves maligned; and with this retort Julia’s annoyance seemed to vanish, for as her cousin reëntered the room she began to talk gayly of something else. ”