“Do you mean to be present, mamma?  That is what I want to know.”  But that was the question which at the moment Mrs. Mountjoy could not answer.  She had pledged herself not to be unkind, on condition that no marriage should take place for three years.  But she could not begin by being kind, as otherwise she would immediately have been pressed to abandon that very condition.  “Perhaps, mamma, it would be less painful if you would not see him.”

“But he is not to make repeated visits.”

“No, not at present; I think not.”

“He must come only once,” said Mrs. Mountjoy, firmly.  “He was to have come because he was going to America.  But now he has changed all his plans.  It isn’t fair, Florence.”

“What can I do?  I cannot send him to America because you thought he was to go there.  I thought so too; and so did he.  I don’t know what has changed him; but it wasn’t likely that he’d write and say he wouldn’t come because he had altered his plans.  Of course he wants to see me; and so do I want to see him—­very much.  Here he is!”

There was a ring at the bell, and Mrs. Mountjoy was driven to resolve what she would do at the moment.  “You mustn’t be above a quarter of an hour.  I won’t have you together for above a quarter of an hour,—­or twenty minutes at the farthest.”  So saying, Mrs. Mountjoy escaped from the room, and within a minute or two Florence found herself in Harry Annesley’s arms.

The twenty minutes had become forty before Harry had thought of stirring, although he had been admonished fully a dozen times that he must at that moment take his departure.  Then the maid knocked at the door, and brought word “that missus wanted to see Miss Florence in her bedroom.”

“Now, Harry, you must go.  You really shall go,—­or I will.  I am very, very happy to hear what you have told me.”

“But three years!”

“Unless mamma will agree.”

“It is quite out of the question.  I never heard of anything so absurd.”

“Then you must get mamma to consent.  I have promised her for three years, and you ought to know that I will keep my word.  Harry, I always keep my word; do I not?  If she will consent, I will.  Now, sir, I really must go.”  Then there was a little form of farewell which need not be especially explained, and Florence went up stairs to her mother.

CHAPTER XLIX.

CAPTAIN VIGNOLLES GETS HIS MONEY.

When we last left Captain Scarborough, he had just lost an additional sum of two hundred and twenty-seven pounds to Captain Vignolles, which he was not able to pay, besides the sum of fifty pounds which he had received the day before, as the first instalment of his new allowance.  This was but a bad beginning of the new life he was expected to lead under the renewed fortunes which his father was preparing for him.  He had given his promissory note for the money at a week’s date, and had been extremely