The little lady looked inexpressibly relieved. “Thank you--thank you! If ever a doubt of my meaning should arise, pray set it down to my foolish nervousness, and not to deliberate unkindness, for I had a daughter once.” Her voice quivered a little as she said this, and her thin white fingers clutched Florence’s arm. “I can very seldom trust myself to speak of her, but for her sake my heart yearns to the young and--and sorrowful.” Moved by an irresistible impulse, Florence put her lips to the hand that had now slid into her own, and the little lady, warned by the tears gathering in the orphan’s eyes, began to talk more cheerfully. “I quite hope we shall understand and like each other. My name is Wilson, and I have come to you----” Mr. Lumley’s entrance interrupted her. He had found the missing bag, and nodded good-humoredly when he saw the confidential attitude the ladies had taken. “Then you have introduced yourself, Mrs. Wilson! That’s right! And is Miss Heriton inclined to accept your proposals?” “I don’t know yet. I have scarcely had time to ask her.” Mr. Lumley looked at his watch; his leisure was limited, and he had purposely lingered outside to give Mrs. Wilson an opportunity of speaking openly. She saw his impatient glance, and rose directly. “I am keeping you waiting. I am so sorry! Perhaps it would be better, as I am such a timid driver, for you to take the carriage back, and let me walk. I am sure I can manage it, and I would not waste your valuable time for the world!” “I have still ten minutes to spare, and I could not think of letting you walk back such a distance,” Mr. Lumley decidedly replied. “If you will kindly say what you wish to Miss Heriton at once, I shall be glad.” But she was in such a state of confusion between her uneasiness on his account and the difficulty of rearranging her shawl, that he had to make the necessary explanation of their errand himself. “Mrs. Wilson wishes to know, Miss Heriton, if you are inclined to take upon yourself the charge of two children now on their way from India, to be placed in her motherly care? Their guardian offers a liberal salary, and I think I can promise you on his part all proper respect and consideration.” “Should I be required to reside in the house?” asked Florence. “For I must confess that I should prefer a home of my own, even though it will be but a lonely one.” Mrs. Wilson now interposed. “My dear, you are too young to do this. I am afraid you think I am fidgety, and might be too interfering; but you would have your own sitting room, and I am very much taken up with my housekeeping duties. I should never think of coming into your apartments unless you were ill or low-spirited. And anything you can propose--any stipulations you like to make--shall certainly be adhered to.”