ake of
the family, Susan,' he said, 'don't let my sister-in-law Mabel and her
daughter Florence go to the workhouse.' And I promised him, and I mean
as long as the breath animates this feeble frame to keep my word.

"As long as I live, Mabel, your fifty pounds a year is secured to you,
and I shall allow you, after Florence leaves that expensive school,
which has cost me from one hundred and twenty to a hundred and forty
pounds a year, to give you an additional fifteen pounds, thus raising
your income to the very creditable one of sixty-five pounds per annum.
As to you, Florence, having gone to the enormous expense of your
education and having placed you at Mrs. Goodwin's excellent school at
Stoneley Hall as pupil teacher, I wash my hands of you."

"Very well, Aunt Susan, that's all right," replied Florence. "I never
did like you and I like you less every time I see you, but I want to
say something on my own account. It is quite possible that I may not
go to Mrs. Goodwin's school at Stoneley Hall. There is a chance that I
may be able to remain at Cherry Court School quite independent of you,
Aunt Susan."

"Yes, Flo, that's right," said Mrs. Aylmer the less, rising now to her
feet and giving her daughter an admiring glance. "I always knew you
had spirit, my darling; you inherit it from your poor dear father. If
John were alive he would be proud of you, now, Flo. Tell about the
Scholarship, Florry, my pet; tell about the Scholarship, dear."

Mrs. Aylmer the great was now so speechless with astonishment that she
did not open her lips. Florence turned and faced her.

"It is your fault that I am plain," she said, "you have not done what
my uncle asked you to do. You have paid my fees at school, but you
have not made it possible for me to grow up nice in any sense of the
word. You have always thrown your gifts in my face, and you have never
given me decent clothes to wear. It is very hard on a girl to be
dressed as shabbily as I am, and to be twitted by her companions for
what she cannot help; and although you kept me at Cherry Court School,
there have been times over and over when I hated you, Aunt Susan, and
but for my dear little Mummy I would have left the school and earned my
bread as a dressmaker or a servant. But there is a chance that I may
continue to be a lady and hold the position I was born to without any
help from you. A great Scholarship has been offered to the girls of
Cherry Court School. It