ccuse herself of hypocrisy when she allowed place in
her thoughts to this latter supposition. He had been so intently
earnest! The nature of the man was so eager and true! But yet, in
spite of all that had been said, of all the fire in his eyes, and
life in his words, and energy in his actions, he had at last seen
that his aspirations were foolish, and his desires vain. It could not
otherwise be that she and Mary should pass these hours in such calm
repose without an allusion to the disturbing subject! After this
fashion, and with such meditations as these, had passed by the last
weeks;--and then at last there came the change.

"I have had a letter from William this morning," said Mary.

"And so have not I," said Clara, "and yet I expect to hear from him."

"He means to be here soon," said Mary.

"Oh, indeed!"

"He speaks of being here next week."

For a moment or two Clara had yielded to the agitation caused by her
cousin's tidings; but with a little gush she recovered her presence
of mind, and was able to speak with all the hypothetical propriety of
a female. "I am glad to hear it," she said. "It is only right that he
should come."

"He has asked me to say a word to you,--as to the purport of his
journey."

Then again Clara's courage and hypocrisy were so far subdued that
they were not able to maintain her in a position adequate to the
occasion. "Well," she said laughing, "what is the word? I hope it is
not that I am to pack up, bag and baggage, and take myself elsewhere.
Cousin William is one of those persons who are willing to do
everything except what they are wanted to do. He will go on talking
about the Belton estate, when I want to know whether I may really
look for as much as twelve shillings a week to live upon."

"He wants me to speak to you about--about the earnest love he bears
for you."

"Oh dear! Mary;--could you not suppose it all to be said? It is an
old trouble, and need not be repeated."

"No," said Mary, "I cannot suppose it to be all said." Clara looking
up as she heard the voice, was astonished both by the fire in the
woman's eye and by the force of her tone. "I will not think so meanly
of you as to believe that such words from such a man can be passed by
as meaning nothing. I will not say that you ought to be able to love
him; in that you cannot control your heart; but if you cannot love
him, the want of such love ought to make you suffer,--to suffer much
and be very sad."

"I can