words to be spoken. Then she withdrew her hand, and again saying, in
a clear voice, "Good-night, Captain Aylmer," she left the room.

CHAPTER IX.

CAPTAIN AYLMER'S PROMISE TO HIS AUNT.

What had Captain Aylmer meant by telling her that they might be the
dearest friends--by saying so much as that, and then saying no more?
Of course Clara asked herself that question as soon as she was alone
in her bedroom, after leaving Captain Aylmer below. And she made
two answers to herself--two answers which were altogether distinct
and contradictory one of the other. At first she decided that he
had said so much and no more because he was deceitful--because
it suited his vanity to raise hopes which he had no intention of
fulfilling--because he was fond of saying soft things which were
intended to have no meaning. This was her first answer to herself.
But in her second she accused herself as much as she had before
accused him. She had been cold to him, unfriendly, and harsh. As her
aunt had told her, she spoke sharp words to him, and repulsed the
kindness which he offered her. What right had she to expect from him
a declaration of love when she was studious to stop him at every
avenue by which he might approach it? A little management on her
side would, she almost knew, make things right. But then the idea of
any such management distressed her;--nay, more, disgusted her. The
management, if any were necessary, must come from him. And it was
manifest enough that if he had any strong wishes in this matter he
was not a good manager. Her cousin, Will Belton, knew how to manage
much better.

On the next morning, however, all her thoughts respecting Captain
Aylmer were dissipated by tidings which Martha brought to her
bedside. Her aunt was ill. Martha was afraid that her mistress was
very ill. She did not dare to send specially for the doctor on her
own responsibility, as Mrs. Winterfield had strong and peculiar
feelings about doctors' visits, and had on this very morning declined
to be so visited. On the next day the doctor would come in the usual
course of things, for she had submitted for some years back to such
periodical visitings; but she had desired that nothing might be done
out of the common way. Martha, however, declared that if she were
alone with her mistress the doctor would be sent for; and she now
petitioned for aid from Clara. Clara was, of course, by her aunt's
bedside in a few minutes, and in a few minutes more