that
it shall never be resumed?"

"I have not put an end to that acquaintance,--or rather that
affectionate friendship as I should call it, and I am ready to
promise that it shall be maintained with all my heart."

"Belinda, do you hear her?"

"Yes, mamma." And Belinda slowly shook her head, which was now bowed
lower than ever over her lap.

"And that is your resolution?"

"Yes, Lady Aylmer; that is my resolution."

"And you think that becoming to you, as a young woman?"

"Just so; I think that becoming to me,--as a young woman."

"Then let me tell you, Miss Amedroz, that I differ from you
altogether,--altogether." Lady Aylmer, as she repeated the last word,
raised her folded hands as though she were calling upon heaven to
witness how thoroughly she differed from the young woman!

"I don't see how I am to help that, Lady Aylmer. I dare say we may
differ on many subjects."

"I dare say we do. I dare say we do. And I need not point out to you
how very little that would be a matter of regret to me, but for the
hold you have upon my unfortunate son."

"Hold upon him, Lady Aylmer! How dare you insult me by such
language?" Hereupon Belinda again jumped in her chair; but Lady
Aylmer looked as though she enjoyed the storm.

"You undoubtedly have a hold upon him, Miss Amedroz, and I think that
it is a great misfortune. Of course, when he hears what your conduct
is with reference to this--person, he will release himself from his
entanglement."

"He can release himself from his entanglement whenever he chooses,"
said Clara, rising from her chair. "Indeed, he is released. I shall
let Captain Aylmer know that our engagement must be at an end, unless
he will promise that I shall never in future be subjected to the
unwarrantable insolence of his mother." Then she walked off to the
door, not regarding, and indeed not hearing, the parting shot that
was fired at her.

And now what was to be done! Clara went up to her own room, making
herself strong and even comfortable, with an inward assurance that
nothing should ever induce her even to sit down to table again with
Lady Aylmer. She would not willingly enter the same room with Lady
Aylmer, or have any speech with her. But what should she at once do?
She could not very well leave Aylmer Park without settling whither
she would go; nor could she in any way manage to leave the house
on that afternoon. She almost resolved that she would go to Mrs.
Askerton. Everything was