TheprideCaptainCuttlehad，ingivinghisarmtoFlorence，andescortinghersometwoorthreehundredyards，keepingabrightlook-outallthetime，andattractingtheattentionofeveryonewhopassedthem，byhisgreatvigilanceandnumerousprecautions，wasextreme。Arrivedattheshop，theCaptainfeltitapointofdelicacytoretireduringthemakingofthepurchases，astheyweretoconsistofwearingapparel；buthepreviouslydepositedhistincanisteronthecounter，andinformingtheyoungladyoftheestablishmentthatitcontainedfourteenpoundtwo，requestedher，incasethatamountofpropertyshouldnotbesufficienttodefraytheexpensesofhisniece\'slittleoutfit——attheword`niece，\'
hebestowedamostsignificantlookonFlorence，accompaniedwithpantomime，expressiveofsagacityandmystery——tohavethegoodnessto`singout，\'
andhewouldmakeupthedifferencefromhispocket。Casuallyconsultinghisbigwatch，asadeepmeansofdazzlingtheestablishment，andimpressingitwithasenseofproperty，theCaptainthenkissedhishooktohisniece，andretiredoutsidethewindow，whereitwasachoicesighttoseehisgreatfacelookinginfromtimetotime，amongthesilksandribbons，withanobviousmisgivingthatFlorencehadbeenspiritedawaybyabackdoor。
`DearCaptainCuttle，\'saidFlorence，whenshecameoutwithaparcel，thesizeofwhichgreatlydisappointedtheCaptain，whohadexpectedtoseeaporterfollowingwithabaleofgoods，`Idon\'twantthismoney，indeed。Ihavenotspentanyofit。Ihavemoneyofmyown。\'
`Myladylass，\'returnedthebaffledCaptain，lookingstraightdownthestreetbeforethem，`takecareonitforme，willyoubesogood，tillsuchtimeasIaskyeforit？\'