hour in the house before he came, and never did an
hour go so heavily with her. There was no employment for her about
the place, and Mrs. Bunce, the old woman who now lived there, could
not understand why her late mistress chose to remain seated among the
unused furniture. Clara had of course told her that a gentleman was
coming. "Not Mr. Will?" said the woman. "No; it is not Mr. Will,"
said Clara; "his name is Captain Aylmer." "Oh, indeed." And then Mrs.
Bunce looked at her with a mystified look. Why on earth should not
the gentleman call on Miss Amedroz at Mrs. Askerton's cottage. "I'll
be sure to show 'un up, when a comes, at any rate," said the old
woman solemnly;--and Clara felt that it was all very uncomfortable.

At last the gentleman did come, and was shown up with all the
ceremony of which Mrs. Bunce was capable. "Here he be, mum." Then
Mrs. Bunce paused a moment before she retreated, anxious to learn
whether the new comer was a friend or a foe. She concluded from
the Captain's manner that he was a very dear friend, and then she
departed.

"I hope you are not surprised at my coming," said Captain Aylmer,
still holding Clara by the hand.

"A little surprised," she said, smiling.

"But not annoyed?"

"No;--not annoyed."

"As soon as you had left Aylmer Park I felt that it was the right
thing to do;--the only thing to do,--as I told my mother."

"I hope you have not come in opposition to her wishes," said Clara,
unable to control a slight tone of banter as she spoke.

"In this matter I found myself compelled to act in accordance with my
own judgment," said he, untouched by her sarcasm.

"Then I suppose that Lady Aylmer is,--is vexed with you for coming
here. I shall be so sorry for that;--so very sorry, as no good can
come of it."

"Well;--I am not so sure of that. My mother is a most excellent
woman, one for whose opinions on all matters I have the highest
possible value;--a value so high, that--that--that--"

"That you never ought to act in opposition to it. That is what you
really mean, Captain Aylmer; and upon my word I think that you are
right."

"No, Clara; that is not what I mean,--not exactly that. Indeed, just
at present I mean the reverse of that. There are some things on which
a man must act on his own judgment, irrespectively of the opinions of
any one else."

"Not of a mother, Captain Aylmer?"

"Yes;--of a mother. That is to say, a man must do so. With a lady of
course it is diffe