Miss Wells entered into them with deep interest, highly approving Floy’s course in regard to the property, and of her resolve first to search for her long-lost mother, then to seek employment by which to earn a living for herself and for her mother if found. “Don’t be afraid to try it, dear,” Hannah said; “try it with determination to let no difficulty conquer you, yet trusting in the Lord, and you will succeed. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. Yes, dear, I’ve tried it, and proved it in my own experience. Like you I was left an orphan early in life, and without means. I had relations who gave me a home, enough to eat, and decent clothes, and didn’t seem to grudge it either; but I saw that they had plenty of other uses for their money, and I couldn’t bear to have them do without anything in order to provide for me; so I resolved to strike out bravely for myself, trusting only in the Lord, and from that day to this He’s taken care of me: and its so sweet, _so_ sweet to take everything as a gift right from His dear hand.” CHAPTER XI. LOVE AND PRIDE. “Had we never loved so kindly, Had we never loved so blindly, Never met or never parted, We had ne’er been broken-hearted.”--BURNS. As the dressmaker left, Espy came in and went direct to the parlor, where Floy sat in an attitude of deep dejection, her elbow on the arm of the sofa, her cheek resting on her hand. He sprang to her side, and, as she started and half rose from her seat, caught both hands in his. “Floy, Floy, what have they been doing? What have they been saying to you? Never mind it, darling, nothing shall ever come between us.” The eyes that met his were full of anguish; the lips moved, but no sound came from them. He threw his arms about her as if to shield her from harm. “Floy, dear, don’t mind it. I can’t bear to see you look so. Isn’t my love enough to make you happy? Ah, if you only knew _how_ I love you, dearest!” “But--oh, Espy, I’ve given you up! I’ve no right now to your love!” “Given me up! Do you not love me, Floy?” His voice grew hoarse with emotion. “You are all I’ve left--all.” He bent his ear to catch the low-breathed words. His heart gave a joyous bound, and he drew her closer to him; but she struggled to release herself. “Espy, you are free. I have given you up.” “I will not accept my freedom, nor give you yours, my own little wife--I may call you that, because we are pledged to each other, and it’s almost the same: we belong to each other quite as much as if we were already married.” She shook her head with sad determination. “Your father refuses his consent, and--I--I cannot go into a family that is not willing to receive me.” “My father had no right to withdraw the consent already given!” he exclaimed hotly. “That was given to your union with the rich Miss Kemper, not with a poor and nameless waif,” she returned, with a bitter smile.