e and aunt from Sleaford will be with
us. He is a clergyman, you know; and if you then like to
remain, they will be delighted to make your acquaintance.

It seems to be a long journey for a young lady to make
alone, from Belton to Plaistow; but travelling is so easy
now-a-days, and young ladies seem to be so independent,
that you may be able to manage it. Hoping to see you soon,
I remain

Your affectionate Cousin,

MARY BELTON.

This letter she received before breakfast, and was therefore able to
read it in solitude, and to keep its receipt from the knowledge of
Mrs. Askerton, if she should be so minded. She understood at once all
that it intended to convey,--a hint that Plaistow Hall would be a
better resting place for her than Mrs. Askerton's cottage; and an
assurance that if she would go to Plaistow Hall for her convenience,
no advantage should be taken of her presence there by the owner of
the house for his convenience. As she sat thinking of the offer which
had been made to her she fancied that she could see and hear her
cousin Will as he discussed the matter with his sister, and with a
half assumption of surliness declared his own intention of going
away. Captain Aylmer after that interview in London had spoken of
Belton's conduct as being unpardonable; but Clara had not only
pardoned him, but had, in her own mind, pronounced his virtues to be
so much greater than his vices as to make him almost perfect. "But
I will not drive him out of his own house," she said. "What does it
matter where I go?"

"Colonel Askerton has had a letter from your cousin," said Mrs.
Askerton as soon as the two ladies were alone together.

"And what does he say?"

"Not a word about you."

"So much the better. I have given him trouble enough, and am glad to
think that he should be free of me for awhile. Is Colonel Askerton to
stay at the cottage?"

"Now, Clara, you are a hypocrite. You know that you are a hypocrite."

"Very likely,--but I don't know why you should accuse me just now."

"Yes, you do. Have not you heard from Norfolk also?"

"Yes;--I have."

"I was sure of it. I knew he would never have written in that way, in
answer to my letter, ignoring your visit here altogether, unless he
had written to you also."

"But he has not written to me. My letter is from his sister. There
it is." Whereupon she handed the letter to Mrs. Askerton, and waited
patiently while it was being read. Her fr