nst the sinner, that was
impossible to her,--because it was so necessary that the sin should
be hidden.

"What;--Ralph? Have you been here long?" asked Patience, looking with
somewhat suspicious eyes at Clarissa's back, which was turned to her.

"About half an hour,--waiting for you, and smoking and drinking
soda-water. I have a boat here, and I must be off now."

"You'll have the tide with you," said Clarissa, with an effort.

"There is a tide in the affairs of men," said Ralph, with a forced
laugh. "My affairs shall at once take advantage of this tide. I'll
come again very soon to see the new cousin. Good-bye, girls." Then
he inserted himself into his boat, and took himself off, without
bestowing even anything of a special glance upon Clarissa.

"Is there anything the matter?" Patience asked.

"No;--only why did you stay all the evening with that stupid old
woman, when you promised me that you would be back in ten minutes?"

"I said nothing about ten minutes, Clary; and, after all, I haven't
been an hour gone. Miss Spooner is in trouble about her tenant, who
won't pay the rent, and she had to tell me all about it."

"Stupid old woman!"

"Have you and Ralph been quarrelling, Clary?"

"No;--why should we quarrel?"

"There seems to have been something wrong."

"It's so stupid being found all alone here. It makes one feel that
one is so desolate. I do wish papa would live with us like other
girls' fathers. As he won't, it would be much better not to let
people come at all."

Patience was sure that something had happened,--and that that
something must have reference to the guise of lover either assumed or
not assumed by Ralph Newton. She accused her sister of no hypocrisy,
but she was aware that Clarissa's words were wild, not expressing the
girl's thoughts, and spoken almost at random. Something must be said,
and therefore these complaints had been made. "Clary, dear; don't you
like Ralph?" she asked.

"No. That is;--oh yes, I like him, of course. My head aches and I'll
go to bed."

"Wait a few minutes, Clary. Something has disturbed you. Has it not?"

"Everything disturbs me."

"But if there is anything special, won't you tell me?" There had
been something very special, which Clarissa certainly would not tell.
"What has he said to you? I don't think he would be simply cross to
you."

"He has not been cross at all."

"What is it then? Well;--if you won't tell me, I think that you are
afraid of me