seated himself at the table. "Most an hour since," the girl answered, coldly, for she disliked Curtis as much as she loved and admired Florence. "It is sad, very sad that she should be so headstrong," said Curtis, with hypocritical sorrow. "It is sad for her to go away from her own uncle's house," returned Jane. "And very--very foolish." "I don't know about that, sir. She had her reasons," said Jane, significantly. Curtis coughed. He had no doubt that Florence had talked over the matter with her hand-maiden. "Did she say where she was going, Jane?" he asked. "I don't think the poor child knew herself, sir." "Did she go alone?" "No, sir; the boy that was here last night called for her." "That ragamuffin!" said Curtis, scornfully. "She certainly shows extraordinary taste for a young lady of family." "The boy seems a very kind and respectable boy," said Jane, who had been quite won by Dodger's kindness to her young mistress. "He may be respectable, though I am not so sure of that; but his position in life is very humble. He is probably a bootblack; a singular person to select for the friend of a girl like Florence." "There's them that stands higher that isn't half so good," retorted Jane, with more zeal than good grammar. "Did Miss Florence take a cab?" "No; she just walked." "But she took some clothing with her?" "She took a handbag--that is all. She will send for her trunk." "If you find out where she is living, just let me know, Jane."