It was then arranged that she should study assiduously those subjects in which she knew herself deficient, and avail herself of the cousins’ piano to get up her long-neglected music. While Susan went in search of a manual which she thought would prove useful, Julia carelessly observed: “You are intimate with Lieutenant Mason, are you not?” Surprised at the question, Florence answered: “Papa is; but I have only seen him once at his mother’s. What made you ask me?” she demanded, her fears aroused directly. “I don’t know; mere curiosity, I believe. Lieutenant Mason is distantly related to a family in which I teach, and I have seen him occasionally--that is all, Miss Heriton.” “I wish I did know more of him,” said Florence anxiously. “I wish I knew whether he is to be trusted.” Julia looked at her with surprise, not unmingled with displeasure. “Of course he is! Who doubts Lieutenant Mason’s honor?” “I’m so glad to hear you say this!” Florence cried joyfully. “Papa has had some business transactions with him, and I could not help feeling uneasy as to the results.” “The lieutenant would not be very much pleased if he knew the suspicions you entertain,” said Julia. “At least, I should think not.” “If I have done him injustice, I am very sorry,” was the earnest reply. She was heard with a laughing reminder that it is the fate of public men to hear themselves maligned; and with this retort Julia’s annoyance seemed to vanish, for as her cousin reëntered the room she began to talk gayly of something else. CHAPTER V. AN UNPLEASANT ERRAND. Two or three weeks passed away, during which Florence studied assiduously. She had an incentive to exertion in her father’s haggard looks and increasing uneasiness. Although he tried to hide it from her, he was evidently dissatisfied with the progress of affairs. “Mason assured me that I should receive interest on the money invested, and have a certain number of shares made over to me before this time,” he said, upon one occasion. “But nothing is done, and he puts me off with vexatious excuses. Not but what it’s all right, my dear, only I’m a little impatient, and shan’t feel easy until that legacy is restored to you. Where is your Aunt Margaret?” he added abruptly. “She has gone to Nice for the remainder of the winter, I believe, sir. I saw her name among the arrivals there, in a newspaper you brought home.” “Humph! I should like her to know that you were innocent of deceiving her in that matter of the legacy, Florence.” Florence passed her hand lovingly down the face that was aging so fast. “Never mind that, papa, dear. Aunt Margaret does not retain her wrath long. I thought we agreed to talk of it no more.” He sighed, took his hat, and went out for his customary lounge about the city; and his daughter, after writing a long Italian theme, went over to Miss Denham’s rooms to practice for an hour.