Never. And the thought came into her head: "I am indeed an
unfortunate creature!"
It was by the merest coincidence that Anthony coming for the afternoon
two days later had a talk with Mr. Smith in the orchard. Flora for some
reason or other had left them for a moment; and Anthony took that
opportunity to be frank with Mr. Smith. He said: "It seems to me, sir,
that you think Flora has not done very well for herself. Well, as to
that I can't say anything. All I want you to know is that I have tried
to do the right thing." And then he explained that he had willed
everything he was possessed of to her. "She didn't tell you, I suppose?"
Mr. Smith shook his head slightly. And Anthony, trying to be friendly,
was just saying that he proposed to keep the ship away from home for at
least two years. "I think, sir, that from every point of view it would
be best," when Flora came back and the conversation, cut short in that
direction, languished and died. Later in the evening, after Anthony had
been gone for hours, on the point of separating for the night, Mr.
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