gh had been losing money; I do indeed. He was like a bear
with a sore head just at that time. There was no living in the house
with him. I daresay Hermy may have told you all about that."

"Hermione is not by nature so communicative as you are, Captain
Clavering."

"Isn't she? I should have thought between sisters--; but of course
that's no business of mine." Again she was silent, awfully silent, and
he became aware that he must either get up and go away or carry on the
conversation himself. To do either seemed to be equally difficult, and
for a while he sat there almost gasping in his misery. He was quite
aware that as yet he had not made her know that he was there. He was not
there, as he well knew, in his friend Doodles' sense of the word. "At
any rate there isn't any good in quarrelling, is there, Julia?" he said
at last. Now that he had asked a question, surely she must speak.

"There is great good sometimes, I think," said she, "in people remaining
apart and not seeing each other. Sir Hugh Clavering has not quarrelled
with me, that I am aware. Indeed, since my marriage there have been no
means of quarrelling between us. But I think it quite as well that he
and I should not come together."

"But he particularly wants you to go to Clavering."

"Has he sent you here as his messenger?"

"Sent me! oh dear no; nothing of that sort. I have come altogether on my
own hook. If Hugh wants a messenger he must find some one else. But you
and I were always friends you know"--at this assertion she opened her
large eyes widely, and simply smiled--"and I thought that perhaps you
might be glad to see me if I called. That was all."

"You are very good, Captain Clavering."

"I couldn't bear to think that you should be here in London, and that
one shouldn't see anything of you or know anything about you. Tell me
now; is there anything I can do for you? Do you want anybody to settle
anything for you in the city?"

"I think not, Captain Clavering; thank you very much."

"Because I should be so happy; I should indeed. There's nothing I should
like so much as to make myself useful in some way. Isn't there anything
now? There must be so much to be looked after--about money and all
that."

"My lawyer does all that, Captain Clavering."

"Those fellows are such harpies. There is no end to their charges; and
all for doing things that would only be a pleasure to me."

"I'm afraid I can't employ you in any matter that would suit y