The Time of Roses

usual dinner hour. When she did so, her mother, who

m quite curious: it is sealed. The messenger did not want to leave it when I told him that you were out. He said it h

said Florence, turning quite pale

he had better take it back, but I assured him that I did not lose things when they were addressed to my only daughter, and that he might safely trust me to put the parcel into your hands. He was o

Bertha Keys for anything," said Flore

l open it and assu

ontains," said Florence. She got red first and then pale

o me: I can't sleep, I can't enjoy my food when there's a secret surrounding me. What'

t is a message from Miss Keys. I met her on the sa

lorence popped the sealed packet into

ired," she said, "

red to be annoyed

headache, and now after preparing the very nicest little dinner out of the scraps which that young man ought to have eaten last night, you never came in to partake. I had lobster salad of the most recherché description, and you were not present, wh

ou shortly. I shall probably be goi

anging to spend the

now," said Florence restlessly; "I

give you to start wit

nce, and her face coloured and then

t Florence, but did not speak: a shrewd expressi

thing like really strong coffee as a cure for a headache, and you can have some br

and-butter will do spl

room. A moment lat

om father; he will reach Southampton to-morrow and

ou?" said Florence,

to see him again, and you must constantly stay with