"
Flora made no answer. She judged it simpler, kinder and certainly safer
to let him talk himself out. This, Mr. Smith, being naturally taciturn,
never took very long to do. And we must not imagine that this sort of
thing went on all the time. She had a few good days in that cottage. The
absence of Anthony was a relief and his visits were pleasurable. She was
quieter. He was quieter too. She was almost sorry when the time to join
the ship arrived. It was a moment of anguish, of excitement; they
arrived at the dock in the evening and Flora after "making her father
comfortable" according to established usage lingered in the state-room
long enough to notice that he was surprised. She caught his pale eyes
observing her quite stonily. Then she went out after a cheery
good-night.
Contrary to her hopes she found Anthony yet in the saloon. Sitting in
his arm-chair at the head of the table he was picking up some business
papers which he put hastily in his breast pocket and got up. He asked
her if her day, travelling up to town and then doing some shopping, had
tired her.
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