but be elated at the thought of it. She
would not live to see it, but the consciousness that it would be so was
pleasant in her old age. Florence had ever been regarded as the flower
of the flock, and now she would be taken up into high places, according
to her deserts.

First had come the letter from Harry, and then, after an interval of a
week, another letter from Mrs. Clavering, pressing her dear Florence to
go to the parsonage. "We think that at present we all ought to be
together," said Mrs. Clavering, "and therefore we want you to be with
us." It was very flattering. "I suppose I ought to go, mamma," said
Florence. Mrs. Burton was of opinion that she certainly ought to go.
"You should write to her ladyship at once," said Mrs. Burton, mindful of
the change which had taken place. Florence, however, addressed her
letter, as heretofore, to Mrs. Clavering, thinking that a mistake on
that side would be better than a mistake on the other. It was not for
her to be over-mindful of the rank with which she was about to be
connected. "You won't forget your old mother now that you are going to
be so grand?" said Mrs. Burton, as Florence was leaving her.

"You only say that to laugh at me," said Florence. "I expect no
grandness, and I am sure you expect no forgetfulness."

The solemnity consequent upon the first news of the accident had worn
itself off; and Florence found the family at the parsonage happy and
comfortable. Mrs. Fielding was still there, and Mr. Fielding was
expected again after the next Sunday. Fanny also was there, and Florence
could see during the first half hour that she was very radiant. Mr.
Saul, however, was not there, and it may as well be said at once that
Mr. Saul as yet knew nothing of his coming fortune. Florence was
received with open arms by them all, and by Harry with arms which were
almost too open. "I suppose it may be in about three weeks from now," he
said at the first moment in which he could have her to himself.

"Oh, Harry--no," said Florence.

"No--why no? That's what my mother proposes."

"In three weeks! She could not have said that. Nobody has begun to think
of such a thing yet at Stratton."

"They are so very slow at Stratton!"

"And you are so very fast at Clavering! But, Harry, we don't know where
we are going to live."

"We should go abroad at first, I suppose."

"And what then? That would only be for a month or so."

"Only for a month? I mean for all the Winter--and the