gh much consorted. Harry was grieved that his
cousin had not resisted the temptation of going at such a time, but he
was quick enough to perceive that Lady Clavering alluded to the absence
of her lord as a reason why Harry might pay his visit to the house with
satisfaction.

"I'm so much obliged to you for coming," said Lady Clavering. "I want to
know if you can do something for me." As she spoke, she had a paper in
her hand which he immediately perceived to be a letter from Italy.

"I'll do anything I can, of course, Lady Clavering."

"But I must tell you, that I hardly know whether I ought to ask you. I'm
doing what would make Hugh very angry. But he is so unreasonable and so
cruel about Julia. He condemns her simply because, as he says, there is
no smoke without fire. That is such a cruel thing to say about a woman;
is it not?"

Harry thought that it was a cruel thing, but as he did not wish to speak
evil of Sir Hugh before Lady Clavering, he held his tongue.

"When we got the first news by telegraph, Julia said that she intended
to come home at once. Hugh thinks that she should remain abroad for some
time, and indeed I am not sure but that would be best. At any rate, he
made me write to her, and advise her to stay. He declared that if she
came at once he would do nothing for her. The truth is, he does not want
to have her here, for if she were again in the house he would have to
take her part, if ill-natured things were said."

"That's cowardly," said Harry, stoutly.

"Don't say that, Harry, till you have heard it all. If he believes these
things, he is right not to wish to meddle. He is very hard, and always
believes evil. But he is not a coward. If she were here, living with him
as my sister, he would take her part, whatever he might himself think."

"But why should he think ill of his own sister-in-law? I have never
thought ill of her."

"You loved her, and he never did; though I think he liked her too, in
his way. But that's what he told me to do, and I did it. I wrote to her,
advising her to remain at Florence till the warm weather comes, saying
that, as she could not specially wish to be in London for the season, I
thought she would be more comfortable there than here; and then I added
that Hugh also advised her to stay. Of course I did not say that he
would not have her here--but that was his threat."

"She is not likely to press herself where she is not wanted."

"No--and she will not forget her