The Time of Roses

him, and she was, he considered, a particularly attractive-looking girl. In Mrs. Aylmer's society he was made a great deal of and f

e liked Florence, and was in the mood for a bit of an adventure, he would gla

k eyes; "mother is the soul of hospitality, but we are very poor: we have nothing

said, in a somewhat pleading tone, and he

ther's way: she always goes on like that with strang

be said, and Florence and Trevor bade

e already at dinner. They had both wondered where he was, and Bertha Keys had been a l

ate?" said Mrs. Aylm

here was a slight chance of my not coming in to supper at all," he continu

Aylmer, dropping h

ay, they are your relations, so the little lady told me, and she was very hospitable, and invited me to supper, and

Bertha Keys. Neither lady said anything, however, at the present moment, but each glanced at

the acquaintance of Miss F

d. "I consider her a

. I will tell you about her another time. It is quite contrary to my

s sometimes fretted him a great deal. He often wondered whether he had done right in allowing himself

and Bertha beckoned to him

ds?" she said. "I have some

to me also-something about that partic

I persuaded her to go early to bed. I quite sympathise with

Bertha a gra

istaken about anyone, and I took to her frank ways. She

e, which vanished almost as

he said, "just by the pier? I must see Mrs

ll," he

tried to soothe his somewhat ruffled feelings. He had n

to himself; "such bad form, and, as to this girl, it i

olly and good-tempered, and she often tried to smooth over matters when there was any little difference between himself and Mrs. Ayl

at last. "Have you any

ad humour, and I am no

g much longer: it is like being in chains. I would much rather talk the matter out with Mrs. Aylmer, tell her I am very much obliged

!" said Bertha. "But what do

I never felt more annoyed than when she spoke to me as she did thi

know. You want her to give you money to allow you to live in town. I am sure I can

t for my own mother, who seems so happy about me, and so g

ead for the Bar: I will see that it is arranged. Mrs. Aylmer is rich, but not rich enough for you to liv

do you

not te

dislike Miss F

rather

ill tell m

g of her no

, after a pause, "is this

ge. Mrs. Aylmer's husband w

ch is really meant for Florence Aylmer? Oh, this is unendurable," he cried; "I cannot stand it. I wi

Something very sad happened a few years ago, something which I canno

ng told me so muc

silent fo

ce-looking girl, she is one. I do not care so much for her mother

t you out here to-night. I want you to be most careful to avoid the subject with Mrs. Aylmer. Florence offended her, and she has resolved never to see her and never to speak to her again. She is annoyed at y

can do is to throw out innuendoe

ot quite straight about a prize which was offer

ou were a teacher i

hushed up at the time, and of course Florence has quite retrieved her character. It was nothing whatever but what a girl tempted as she was would do, but it settled her as

to be long with Mrs. Aylmer and prevent her speak

rtha; "the very best thing you can do i

London to

u have had sudden news of your mother: that she wants

e." Trevor darted a keen

coloure

you are," she said, after a pause; "I want you to keep away for your own sa

he answered; "but how will that help me? When I come back, she wi

our peace of mind not to hear it: that is all. I have said that it was a little s

ed his foot

"I should like to see Miss Florence Aylmer again. I will

tha, and now her fac

perfectly honest. She can excuse herself if necessary. Anyhow, s