Part 14 (2/2)
”It is extremely unlikely, miss,” said one and all of the clerks who had been so specious on the occasion of her first visit, ”that we can get you anything to do. You are not a governess, you know, in the ordinary sense. You cannot teach music, nor languages, nor drawing. What can you expect, madam?”
”But you told me,” began poor Florence, ”you told me when I paid my fee on the previous occasion of calling that you could get me a post without the slightest difficulty.”
”We will do our utmost, of course, madam; but, with your want of experience, we can make no definite promise. We certainly made none in the past,” and the clerk whom Florence was interrogating gave her a severe glance, which was meant as a dismissal.
”If you cannot get me anything to do as a teacher, is there nothing else you can think of to suit me? Secretaries are sometimes employed, are they not?”
”Secretarys.h.i.+ps are not in our line,” said the clerk; ”at least, not for ladies. People prefer men for the post--clever men who understand shorthand. You, of course, know nothing of that accomplishment?”
”Certainly not! Girls never learn shorthand,” said Florence.
She left one office after the other, feeling sadder and sadder.
”What is to be done?” she said to herself, almost in tones of despair.
CHAPTER XIV.
A BLUNT QUESTION.
Florence was returning slowly home by way of Trafalgar Square when she heard a voice in her ear. She turned quickly, and was much astonished to see the bright face and keen blue eyes of Maurice Trevor.
”I thought it must be you,” exclaimed the young man. ”I am glad to see you. You pa.s.sed me in a hurry just now, and never noticed me, so I took the liberty of following you. How do you do? I didn't know you were in town.”
”I have been in town for over a fortnight,” replied Florence. She found herself colouring, then turning pale.
”Is anything the matter? You don't look well.”
”I am tired, that is all.”
”May I walk part of the way home with you? It is nice to meet an old friend.”
”Just as you please,” replied Florence.
”Where do you live?”
”I am in a house in Westminster--12, Prince's Mansion, it is called. It is a curious sort of place, and let out in rooms to girls like myself.
There is a restaurant downstairs. It is a nice, convenient place, and it is not dear. I think myself very lucky to have a room there.”
”I suppose you are,” a.s.sented Trevor, ”but it sounds extraordinary. Do you like living alone in London?”
”I have no choice,” replied Florence.
”I was sorry not to have seen you again before we left Dawlish. We had a good deal in common, had we not? That was a pleasant afternoon that we spent together looking at the sea-anemones.”
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