ThisconductonthepartofMr。Carker，andherhabitofoftenconsideringitwithwonderanduneasiness，begantoinvesthimwithanuncomfortablefascinationinFlorence\'sthoughts。Amoredistinctremembranceofhisfeatures，voice，andmanner：whichshesometimescourted，asameansofreducinghimtothelevelofarealpersonage，capableofexertingnogreatercharmoverherthananother：didnotremovethevagueimpression。
Andyetheneverfrowned，orlookeduponherwithanairofdislikeoranimosity，butwasalwayssmilingandserene。
Again，Florence，inpursuitofherstrongpurposewithreferencetoherfather，andhersteadyresolutiontobelievethatshewasherselfunwittinglytoblamefortheirsocoldanddistantrelations，wouldrecalltomindthatthisgentlemanwashisconfidentialfriend，andwouldthink，withananxiousheart，couldherstrugglingtendencytodislikeandfearhimbeapartofthatmisfortuneinher，whichhadturnedherfather\'sloveadrift，andlefthersoalone？Shedreadedthatitmightbe；sometimesbelieveditwas：thensheresolvedthatshewouldtrytoconquerthiswrongfeeling；persuadedherselfthatshewashonouredandencouragedbythenoticeofherfather\'sfriend；andhopedthatpatientobservationofhimandtrustinhimwouldleadherbleedingfeetalongthatstonyroadwhichendedinherfather\'sheart。
Thus，withnoonetoadviseher——forshecouldadvisewithnoonewithoutseemingtocomplainagainsthim——gentleFlorencetossedonanuneasyseaofdoubtandhope；andMr。Carker，likeascalymonsterofthedeep，swamdownbelow，andkepthisshiningeyeuponher。
Florencehadanewreasoninallthisforwishingtobeathomeagain。Herlonelylifewasbettersuitedtohercourseoftimidhopeanddoubt；andshefearedsometimes，thatinherabsenceshemightmisssomehopefulchanceoftestifyingheraffectionforherfather。Heavenknows，shemighthavesethermindatrest，poorchild！onthislastpoint；butherslightedlovewasflutteringwithinher，and，eveninhersleep，itflewawayindreams，andnestled，likeawanderingbirdcomehome，uponherfather\'sneck。