"Well, dearest."

"Why dost thou--" here Florinda hesitated.

"Speak freely; what would you ask?"

"You will not be offended?"

"Indeed, no!"

"Nor think strange of me?"

"Nay, I promise thee."

"Then--"

"Well, Florinda."

"Why dost thou wear such a threadbare coat, Carlton? You know I care
not for such things, but I would have thee appear among thy
fellow-artists as well clad as the best of them."

"You know, Florinda," said Carlton, blushing in spite of himself, "I
told you of my misfortune in losing my friend and patron."

"True, but what has that to do with thy coat, Carlton?" asked the
lady, who, never having known the want of money, could not realize
the effect of such a condition. And then, too, she did not exactly
understand the dependency of Carlton upon his patron.