"

She made a movement because the level voice was getting on her nerves.
And he paused, but only to go on again in the same tone with the remark:

"Of course you are pretty. And that's why you are lost--like many other
poor girls. Unfortunate is the word for you."

She said: "It may be. Perhaps it is the right word; but listen, papa.
I mean to be honest."

He began to exhale more speeches.

"Just the sort of man to get tired and then leave you and go off with
his beastly ship. And anyway you can never be happy with him. Look at
his face. I want to save you. You see I was not perhaps a very good
husband to your poor mother. She would have done better to have left me
long before she died. I have been thinking it all over. I won't have
you unhappy."

He ran his eyes over her with an attention which was surprisingly
noticeable. Then said, "H'm! Yes. Let's clear out before it is too
late. Quietly, you and I."

She said as if inspired and with that calmness which despair often
gives: "There is no money to go away with, papa."

He rose up straightening himself as though he were a hinged figure. She
said decisively:

"And of course you wouldn't think of deserting me, papa?"

"Of course not," sounded his subdued tone. And he left her, gliding
away with his walk which Mr Powell described to me as being as level
and wary as his voice. He walked as if he were carrying a glass full of
water on his head.

Flora naturally said nothing to Anthony of that edifying conversation.
His generosity might have taken alarm at it and she did not want to be
left behind to manage her father alone. And moreover she was too
honest. She would be honest at whatever cost. She would not be the
first to speak. 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,