sit her unless she is first
received here, or at any rate unless she comes to us in town. And then
it would be up-hill work. Do you know Lord Ongar had absolutely
determined at one time to--to get a divorce?"

"And do you believe that she was guilty?"

"I don't say that. No; why should I believe anything against my own
sister when nothing is proved, but that makes no difference, if the
world believes it. They say now that if he had lived three months longer
she never would have got the money."

"Then they say lies. Who is it says so? A parcel of old women who
delight in having some one to run down and backbite. It is all false,
Lady Clavering."

"But what does it signify, Harry? There she is, and you know how people
are talking. Of course it would be best for her to marry again; and if
she would take Archie--Sir Hugh's brother, my brother-in-law, nothing
further would be said. She might go anywhere then. As her sister, I feel
sure that it is the best thing she could do."

Harry's brow became clouded, and there was a look of anger on his face
as he answered her.

"Lady Clavering," he said, "your sister will never marry my cousin
Archie. I look upon the thing as impossible."

"Perhaps it is, Harry, that you--you yourself would not wish it."

"Why should I wish it?"

"He is your own cousin."

"Cousin indeed! Why should I wish it, or why should I not wish it? They
are neither of them anything to me."

"She ought not to be anything to you."

"And she is nothing. She may marry Archie if she pleases, for me. I
shall not set her against him. But, Lady Clavering, you might as well
tell him to get one of the stars. I don't think you can know your sister
when you suppose such a match to be possible."

"Hermione!" shouted Sir Hugh--and the shout was uttered in a voice that
always caused Lady Clavering to tremble.

"I am coming," she said, rising from her chair. "Don't set yourself
against it, Harry," and then, without waiting to hear him further, she
obeyed her husband's summons. "What the mischief keeps you in there?" he
said. It seemed that things had not been going on well in the larger
room. The rector had stuck to his review, taking no notice of Sir Hugh
when he entered. "You seem to be very fond of your book, all of a
sudden," Sir Hugh had said, after standing silent on the rug for a few
minutes.

"Yes, I am," said the rector--"just at present."

"It's quite new with you, then," said Sir Hugh, "or else yo