Florence stopped short in deep embarrassment.
Chapter XII.
A Friend, Though A Dude.
Percy de Brabazon looked sincerely glad to meet Florence, and she
herself felt some pleasure in meeting one who reminded her of her
former life.
But it was quite impossible that she should allow him to accompany her
to her poor home on the East Side.
"Thank you, Mr. de Brabazon, but my engagements this morning will
hardly permit me to accept your escort," she said.
"I suppose that means that you are going shopping; but I don't mind
it, I assure you, and I will carry your bundles," he added,
magnanimously.
"That would never do. What! the fashionable Mr. de Brabazon carrying
MEMOIR, &C.
In the following Narrative of "Old Elizabeth," which
was taken mainly from her own lips in her 97th year, her
simple language has been adhered to as strictly as was
consistent with perspicuity and propriety.
I was born in Maryland in the year 1766. My parents were slaves. Both
my father and mother were religious people, and belonged to the
Methodist Society. It was my father's practice to read in the Bible
aloud to his children every sabbath morning. At these seasons, when I
was but five years old, I often felt the overshadowing of the Lord's
Spirit, without at all understanding what it meant; and these incomes
and influences continued to attend me until I was eleven years old,
particularly when I was alone, by which I was preserved from doing
anything that I thought was wrong.
In the eleventh year of my age, my master sent me to another farm,
several miles from my parents, brothers, and sisters, which was a
great trouble to me. At last I grew so lonely and sad I thought I
bundles? You would lose your social status."
"I don't mind, Miss Florence, as long as you give me--aw--an approving
smile."
"I will give it now, as I bid you good-morning."
"May I--aw--have the pleasure of calling upon you to-morrow evening,
Miss Linden?"
"It is evident that you have not heard that I am no longer residing
with my uncle."
Mr. de Brabazon looked surprised.
"No, I had not heard. May I ask--aw--where you are wesiding?"
"With friends," answered Florence, briefly. "As you are a friend and
will be likely to hear it, I may as well mention that my uncle is
displeased with me, and has practically disowned me."
"Then, Miss Florence," said Mr. de Brabazon, eagerly, "won't you
accept--aw--my heart and hand? My mother will be charmed to receive
you, and I--aw--will strive to make you happy."
"I appreciate your devotion, I do, indeed, Mr. de Brabazon," said