to be an overbearing virago, whom it is good to put down
in every way possible. But this comes from a pure-minded woman,
one whom I believe to be little given to harsh judgments on her
fellow-sinners; and she tells you, in her calm wise way, that it is
bad for you to be here with me."

"She says nothing of the kind."

"But does she not mean it? Tell me honestly;--do you not know that
she means it?"

"I am not to be guided by what she means."

"But you are to be guided by what her brother means. It is to come
to that, and you may as well bend your neck at once. It is to come
to that, and the sooner the better for you. It is easy to see that
you are badly off for guidance when you take up me as your friend."
When she had so spoken Mrs. Askerton got up and went to the door.
"No, Clara, do not come with me; not now," she said, turning to her
companion, who had risen as though to follow her. "I will come to you
soon, but I would rather be alone now. And, look here, dear; you must
answer your cousin's letter. Do so at once, and say that you will go
to Plaistow. In any event it will be better for you."

Clara, when she was alone, did answer her cousin's letter, but she
did not accept the invitation that had been given her. She assured
Miss Belton that she was most anxious to know her, and hoped that she
might do so before long, either at Plaistow or at Belton; but that
at present she was under an engagement to stay with her friend Mrs.
Askerton. In an hour or two Mrs. Askerton returned, and Clara handed
to her the note to read. "Then all I can say is you are very silly,
and don't know on which side your bread is buttered." It was evident
from Mrs. Askerton's voice that she had recovered her mood and tone
of mind. "I don't suppose it will much signify, as it will all come
right at last," she said afterwards. And then, after luncheon, when
she had been for a few minutes with her husband in his own room, she
told Clara that the Colonel wanted to speak to her. "You'll find
him as grave as a judge, for he has got something to say to you in
earnest. Nobody can be so stern as he is when he chooses to put on
his wig and gown." So Clara went into the Colonel's study, and seated
herself in a chair which he had prepared for her.

She remained there for over an hour, and during the hour the
conversation became very animated. Colonel Askerton's assumed gravity
had given way to ordinary eagerness, during which he had walked about
th