page 114

Chapter IX. Farewell!

In some way Will Enderby discovered the whereabouts of Florence Melmoth. He flew to her; he cast himself at her feet; he vowed his unalterable love. Sooth to say, she received him but coldly. She even reproached him as the cause of her expulsion from the house of his uncle. She strove to shake him off, more earnestly than she had previously striven to lure him on. But he would not be denied. He pressed his suit with irresistible ardour, such as only highly excitable natures can display. Then her heart relented towards him. She soothed and pacified him, and bent over him with words and phrases of soft endearment; and, for a brief moment, the fond youth was again supremely happy.

For a brief moment only. Soon the prosaic realities of the position re-asserted themselves. Will offered to marry her forthwith. The widow reminded him that he had no means of maintaining a wife—that love would not fill the larder—that, in short, they must wait for better times.

"I shall always love you," murmured the cajoler—"always, darling!"

page 115

"But will you wait?"—thus Will.

"I am young and strong, and I can work—oh! how hard shall I work with such a prize in view. Life would be worthless without you, my own sweet love! Be true to me—for any sake, be true to me, and I will make for you a home, my birdie, where you shall dwell in peace and pleasure all the days of your life."

"Dear Will! But how is this miracle to be accomplished? All my days have I wished for such a home—I would wait long for it—with you."

"I will go to New Zealand—to Otago. There are gold-fields, newly discovered, and very rich. Only last week the Aldinga came in with a rich freight and glorious news. I have thew, and sinew, and muscle, and I will cast my lot there. Fortune will smile upon me;—I will compel her smiles. Only promise to be true to me, and in a few short months I shall return to claim you as my bride. Promise me this, Florence, and I go away satisfied."

"I do promise it!" And she sealed the promise with her lips.

With her full rich rosy lips—with her false Judas lips. How false, judge ye!

Scarcely had the enamoured youth left her presence, when she soliloquized thus—

"Dear fellow! He is awfully fond of me; but it's getting rather a bore! I'm glad he's going away. Going to make his fortune at gold-digging. Ha! ha! What an absurd boy it is. I wish some one, with a pocket-full of money, would love me half as much. By-the-bye, M'Carthy will be here presently. Jane (this to the servant), if that young gentleman calls page 116again, be good enough to say that I am not at home."

Will took his passage on board the Aldinga for Dunedin. As the vessel passed Queenscliff, she was hailed by a boat, and a letter was handed up for "Mr. William Enderby." It contained bank notes of the value of £50. There was not any letter; but the address was in feminine hand-writing.

"Dear Florence!" cried Will, kissing the superscription. "She has sent me this out of her slender purse, to help me on the road to fortune. Well, some day I will return it with compound interest."

"I know I'm soft"—muttered John Grey, as he took his customary seat in the railway carriage—"I know I'm awfully soft to give Mabel that money. But she pleaded so hard for the young scamp. And then, he's Sister Sarah's son, after all. Well, well!—It's done now, and can't be helped.