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There is nobody here just noever, except Sir Adrian, who is looking rather tired and bored, and Ethel Villiers The latter, seeing Florence enter, gladly gathers up her work and runs away to have a turn in the garden with Captain Ringwood

Florence, though sorry for this tête-à-tête that has been forced upon her, sits down cal up a book, prepares to read aloud to Sir Adrian

But he stops her Putting out his hand, he quietly but firmly closes the book, and then says: "Not to-day, Florence; I want to speak to you instead"

"Anything you wish," responds Florence steadily, though her heart is beating somewhat hastily

"Are you sorry that--that my unhappy cousin proved so unworthy?" he asks at last, touching upon this subject with a good deal of nervousness He can not forget that once she had loved thishuently, but with the utmost unconcern

Sir Adrian stares Was he mistaken then? Did she never really care for the fellow, or is this sonated as Florence's "slyness"? No, once for all he would not believe that the pure, sweet, true face looking so steadily into his could be guilty of anything underhand or base

"It was false that you loved hi out the train of his own thoughts rather than theof her last words

"That I loved Mr Dynecourt!" she repeats in a "What an extraordinary idea to co, I confess I felt for your cousin nothing but contempt and dislike"

"Then, Florence, what has co her hand "Youbefore last season caive my presumption--that you too loved me"

"Your belief was a true one," she returns cal in her beautiful eyes "But you, by your own act, severed us"

"I did?"

"Yes Nay, Sir Adrian, be as honest in your dealings with me as I am with you, and confess the truth"

"I don't knohat you mean," declares Adrian, in utter bewilderment; "you would tell me that you think it was some act of mine that--that ruined my chance with you?"