to select such a home and such a
friend."

"The state of my purse had something to do with the selection, and the
kindness shown me by Mrs. O'Keefe, when I needed a friend, will
explain my location further."

"That is not all. You met in the Madison Avenue car yesterday my
nephew, Mr. Percy de Brabazon."

"It is coming," thought Florence. "Who could have seen us?" Then
aloud:

"Yes, madam."

"Was it by appointment?"

"Do you mean to insult me, Mrs. Leighton?" demanded Florence, rising
and looking at the lady with flashing eyes.

"I never insult anybody," replied Mrs. Leighton. "Pray, resume your
seat."

Florence did so.

"Then I may assume that it was accidental. You talked together with
the freedom of old friends?"

"You are correctly informed."

"You seem to make acquaintances very readily, Miss Linden. It seems
singular, to say the least, that after meeting my nephew for a single
evening, you should become such intimate friends."

"You will be surprised, Mrs. Leighton, when I say that Mr. de Brabazon
and I are old friends. We have met frequently."

"Where, in Heaven's name?" ejaculated Mrs. Leighton.

"At my residence."

"Good Heavens!" exclaimed the scandalized lady. "Does my nephew Percy
visit at the house of this apple-woman?"

"No, madam. He does not know where I live."

"Then you will explain your previous statement?" said Mrs. Leighton,
haughtily.

"I am at present suffering reversed circumstances. It is but a short
time since I was very differently situated."

"I won't inquire into your change of circumstances. I feel compelled
to perform an unpleasant duty."

Florence did not feel called upon to make any reply, but waited for
Mrs. Leighton to finish speaking.

"I shall be obliged to dispense with your services as my daughter's
governess. It is quite out of the question for me to employ a person
who lives in a tenement-house."

Florence bowed acquiescence, but she felt very sad. She had become
attached to her young charge, and it cost her a pang to part from her.

Besides, how was she to supply the income of which this would deprive
her?

"I bow to your decision, madam," she said, with proud humility.

"You will find here the sum that I owe you, with payment for an extra
week in lieu of notice."

"Thank you. May I bid Carrie good-by, Mrs. Leighton?"

"It is better not to do so, I think. The more quietly we dissolve our
unfortunate connection the better!"

Florence's he