education there. On her return, if she
turns out to be a highly-educated, stylish woman, I shall take her to
live with me, taking a house in London and giving her every advantage.
I intended to do this for Florence if she turned out good-looking; she
will never be good-looking, but she may be a genius which is equally
interesting. All depends on her winning the Scholarship. If she loses
it she goes to Mrs. Goodwin's school at Stoneley Hall, having clearly
proved to me that her abilities are not above the average. If she wins
it I do what I say, and in the meantime I wish you, my dear Mabel, to
get her one or two pretty dresses, a nice hat, and a few suitable
clothes. Or, stay, I have not the least doubt that your taste is
atrocious; give me her measurements, and I shall write to my own
dressmaker in London. Florence shall return to Cherry Court School as
my niece, and I will write to Sir John Wallis myself with regard to
her. Now, I think that is all. Oh, you would like your tea. Take it,
pray, and hand me a cup. That silly girl! but I always did admire
frankness."

CHAPTER XII.

THE FAIRY BOX.

The rest of the week at Dawlish passed on the wings of speed.

Mrs. Aylmer took her departure on the following morning, and neither
the little Mummy nor Florence saw her again, but at the end of the week
a box arrived at the widow's cottage. It was a wooden box carefully
nailed down, and labelled: "This side up with care." It was addressed
to Miss Florence Aylmer, and caused intense excitement, not only in the
breast of Florence herself and Mrs. Aylmer, but also in that of Sukey
and the near neighbors, for Mrs. Aylmer's tongue had not been idle
during the few days which had passed since her sister-in-law's visit,
and the intentions of Aunt Susan with regard to Florence had been
freely talked over and commented on.

Nothing was said about the Scholarship. Mrs. Aylmer thought it just as
well to leave that out. Her remarks were to the following effect:

"Florence is about to be adopted by her very wealthy aunt; she is
already keeping her at a good school, and is about to send her some
suitable dresses. In the end she will doubtless leave her her fortune."

After this Sukey and the neighbors looked with great respect at
Florence, who for her part had never felt so cross in her life as when
these hints were made.

"Mummy," she said once to her parent, "if I want to keep my
self-respect I ought to refuse