Beadle's Dime Novels No. 20: Florida; or, The Iron Will — page 80: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

7a FLORIDA; OR, THE TRON Wilt. words, aitd which, without Florida’s speech, might not even nave been acknowledged to herself—had crossed her mind. In her very soul, however, she was glad that he was going to Europe In the afternoon, the lawyer called, accompanied by M. Le Roy, to whose face Virginia was instantineously uttracted— why, she could not tell. Even his voice charmed her, but it was with no warmer feeling than a childlike friendship - There was something in his look and manner familiar to bher—his clear, dark eye, his musical voice, his quite unpre- tending speech, all had for her a nameless attraction. *O! how I like that man!” she exclaimed, when the two were left alone again. “He is very handsome, certainly,” said Florida, quietly. “Tt is not that—what is it? He is charming!” reiterated “And a millionaire in the bargain,” said Florida, looking at her with a meaning smile. “Ts he so very rich? O, dear! I wish I had some of hig money—I know what I would do with it.” “Perhaps you might have it all,” said Florida, warily. “ Goodness! such a thought never entered my mind,” was Virginia’s response. “I hope you don’t think he was smitten with me, too,” she said, laughing. “O! no; if I am not mistaken, it is all the other way,” said Florida, frankly. “I think he rather admires me, but, as 1 have no fancy for the gentleman, and as you are a great deal prettier than I am, there’s no knowing how matters may turn, You may choose your own cage, now, Virginia; we are no longer poor nobodies; we shall soon have the jnfluence and the society that wealth commands. How you shrink, you foolish little goose! You will get accustomed to all that sort of thing, in time, and wonder how you ever could live without it.” . “QO! but I-wouldn’t marry the richest man m the world, _ g0w,” said Virginia, chokingly. Florida looked at her, in her own keen, penetrating way— and only saying, “ We shall see,” turned to leave the room “ Florida !” cried Virginia, entreatingly. 'fer half-sister looked hack in some surprise. re ‘ comic ooolks.comn