arry. Though I am so patient I shall count the hours till
you come for me. Dearest Harry!" Then she bore with him, as he pressed
her close to his bosom, and kissed her lips, and her forehead, and her
glossy hair. When he was gone, she sat down alone for a few minutes on
the old sofa, and hugged herself in her happiness. What a happy wind
that had been which had blown such a lover as that for her to Stratton!

"I think he's a good young man," said Mrs. Burton, as soon as she was
left with her old husband up stairs.

"Yes, he's a good young man. He means very well."

"But he is not idle; is he?"

"No--no: he's not idle. And he's very clever--too clever, I'm afraid.
But I think he'll do well, though it may take him some time to settle."

"It seems so natural, his taking to Flo; doesn't it? They've all taken
one when they went away, and they've all done very well. Deary me; how
sad the house will be when Flo has gone."

"Yes--it'll make a difference that way. But what then? I wouldn't wish
to keep one of 'em at home for that reason."

"No, indeed. I think I'd feel ashamed of myself to have a daughter not
married, or not in the way to be married afore she's thirty. I couldn't
bear to think that no young man should take a fancy to a girl of mine.
But Flo's not twenty yet, and Carry, who was the oldest to go, wasn't
four-and-twenty when Scarness took her." Thereupon the old lady put her
handkerchief to the corner of her eyes, and wept gently.

"Flo isn't gone yet," said Mr. Burton.

"But I hope, B., it's not to be a long engagement. I don't like long
engagements. It ain't good--not for the girl; it ain't, indeed."

"We were engaged for seven years."

"People weren't so much in a hurry then at anything; but I ain't sure it
was very good for me. And though we weren't just married, we were living
next door and saw each other. What'll come to Flo if she's to be here
and he's to be up in London, pleasuring himself?"

"Flo must bear it as other girls do," said the father, as he got up from
his chair.

"I think he's a good young man; I think he is," said the mother. "But
don't stand out for too much for 'em to begin upon. What matters? Sure,
if they were to be a little short you could help 'em." To such a
suggestion as this Mr. Burton thought it as well to make no answer, but
with ponderous steps descended to his office.

"Well, Harry," said Mr. Burton, "so you're to be off in the morning?"

"Yes, sir; I shall breakf