The Time of Roses

girls had just finished their tea when Mrs. Aylmer, with flushed cheeks, and wearing her v

said: "well, well, where

ummy," sai

ied Mrs. Aylmer.

uk

he is always agog to be first in the field. Your aunt is going to send me a tr

so, mother," a

d she has a most charming secretary: a sort of companion, a delightful girl. She and I walked down tog

know who she is," said Florence g

eplied Mrs. Aylm

the girl, the pupil teacher, who behaved so

dead and buried; we are not going to dig

eply. She looked f

ght; "she has been trying to influence her. Those w

e to talk of it," she said; "the w

isappointing that you should have lost your Aunt Susan's patronage. How

u would not see me;

nd that young man I told you of, Mr. Trevor, he came in. He is a charming person, my dear; quite fascinating. I was much taken with him. I longed to

a walk now, moth

There is no use in quarrelling with your relations, and Susan, the moment she looked at my poor turned skirt-it is shiny, is it not, Miss Shar

lly stood it," said Florence, the

wanted. I told her to try and smuggle into the trunk one of your aunt's rich black silks. She said she thought she could manage it, as she has at least four or five at the present moment, and never can tell herself how many she

nion. She felt that, fond as she was of the little Mummy, s

o watch them as they went slowly away in the direction of the beach, turned abruptly, went t

luable, and...." Here the widow, from the depths of her pocket, brought out four sovereigns. "She says she can give me more by-and-by, and I am to influence Florence. Of course I will. Do I envy the poor child her post? By no means. As Florence cannot occupy

he depths of poverty she suddenly felt herself raise

lk dresses. "There will be lots of odds and ends besides," thought the li

ed to stand by the tiny window of the sitting room, and from this vantage-point she sa

his hands into his pockets too-yes, and he used to whistle, as I see that young fellow is whistling. I am always told that whistling is a good sign: it shows a generous disposition. If I am not greatly mistaken, that young man Maurice Trev

come to Mrs. Aylmer than sh

this afternoon with those two young ladies in the house, and I can't do more than I said I would do. You p

no end of a flurry. A beautiful new black silk dress is promised to me, Sukey, and I am mad

the good of promising what you hav

in something nice and tasty for supper. Yo

key's very indignant reply. The ne

forward over his blue eyes, his hands were still in his pockets, he was looking straight ahead of him, and as he slowly sauntered forward he was thinking. His thoughts were evidently not quite to his taste, for he frowned

Trevor," she said,

o him, turned to look at he

aid; "I did not reco

time to-day. I am taking a stroll; it is ve

t is a charming p

hould proceed on her walk alone, or whether she s

down on the beach half an hour ago. Did you happ

out. I have not seen

nds, my two girls, my daughter and her friend. I shou

still speaking in that vague sort of way which

s. Thus shaded from the evening sun, she was a

king for," she cried; "if you will come with me now (and I don'

Mrs. Aylmer's daughter, nor in Mrs. Aylmer herself, but as well w

tinued the little widow; "I am so glad that my poor sister-in-law has

een extremely good to me, but the person who manages her b

said Mrs. Aylmer; "a wonde

ked at the little widow, and the faintest

t to my dear sister-in-law. How splendidly Susan wears, and how considerate she is! I don't know what

l for me," said the young man; "s

very glad,

at your daughter?" he continued, as

hter Florence." Mrs.

to the rock just under the water. Florence was gazing with a frown between her dark brows at her mother and the man who was by her mother'

coming to sit with you, so is Mr.

to be noticed. There was nothing for it, however, but to obey. Mrs. A