that according to her light she had acted for the
best, and echoed with heartiness the assertion that the money had
provided a good time for thirteen long years.

They had not been rich, but there had been a feeling of sufficiency.
They had had comfortable quarters, pretty clothes, delightful holiday
journeys, a reasonable amount of gaiety, and, over and beyond all, the
advantages of an excellent education. Claire's happy nature remembered
her benefits, and made short work of the rest. Poor, beautiful mother!
who could expect her to be prudent and careful, like any ordinary,
prosaic, middle-aged woman?

Even as the thought passed through the girl's mind the door of the
bedroom opened, and Mrs Gifford appeared on the threshold. She wore a
large shady hat, and in the dim light of the room her face was not
clearly visible, but there was a tone in her voice which aroused
Claire's instant curiosity. Mother was trying to speak in her ordinary
voice, but she was nervous, she was agitated. She was not feeling
ordinary at all.

"Claire, _cherie_, we are going to the forest to have tea. It is
impossibly hot indoors, but it will be delightful under the trees. Mr
Judge has sent for a _fiacre_, and Miss Benson has asked to come too.
Put on your blue muslin and your big hat. Be quick, darling! I'll
fasten you up."

"I'd rather not go, thank you, mother. I'm quite happy here. Don't
trouble about me!"

Mrs Gifford was obviously discomposed. She hesitated, frowned, walked
restlessly up and down, then spoke again with an added note of
insistence--

"But I want you to come, Claire. I've not troubled you before, because
I saw you wanted to be alone, but--it can't go on. Mr Judge wants you
to come. He suggested the drive because he thought it would tempt you.
If you refuse to-day, he will ask you again to-morrow. I think, dear,
you ought to come."

Claire was silent. She felt sick and faint; all over her body little
pulses seemed to be whizzing like so many alarm clocks, all crying in
insistent voices, "Time's up! Time's up! No more lazing. Up with you,
and do your duty!" Her forehead felt very damp and her throat felt very
dry, and she heard a sharp disagreeable voice saying curtly--

"Oh, certainly, I will come. No need to make a fuss. I can dress
myself, thank you. I'll come down when I'm ready!"

Mrs Gifford turned without a word and went out of the room, but Claire
was too busy being sorry for hersel