ng it the
more because in Archie's case it was doubly humbug. Archie was now heir
to the property and to the title.

After the funeral, Harry went to see Lady Clavering, and again had to
endure a conversation about Lady Ongar. Indeed, he had been specially
commissioned by Julia to press upon her sister the expediency of leaving
Clavering for a while. This had been early on that last evening in
Bolton Street, long before Madam Gordeloup had made her appearance.
"Tell her from me," Lady Ongar had said, "that I will go anywhere that
she may wish if she will go with me--she and I alone; and, Harry, tell
her this as though I meant it. I do mean it. She will understand why I
do not write myself. I know that he sees all her letters when he is with
her." This task Harry was now to perform, and the result he was bound to
communicate to Lady Ongar. The message he might give; but delivering the
answer to Lady Ongar would be another thing.

Lady Clavering listened to what he said, but when he pressed her for a
reply she shook her head. "And why not, Lady Clavering?"

"People can't always leave their houses and go away, Harry."

"But I should have thought that you could have done so now; that is,
before long. Will Sir Hugh remain here at Clavering?"

"He has not told me that he means to go."

"If he stays, I suppose you will stay; but if he goes up to London
again, I cannot see why you and your sister should not go away together.
She mentioned Tenby as being very quiet, but she would be guided by you
in that altogether."

"I do not think it will be possible, Harry. Tell her, with my love, that
I am truly obliged to her, but that I do not think it will be possible.
She is free, you know, to do what she pleases."

"Yes, she is free. But do you mean--?"

"I mean, Harry, that I had better stay where I am. What is the use of a
scene, and of being refused at last? Do not say--more about it, but tell
her that it cannot be so." This Harry premised to do, and after a while
was rising to go, when she suddenly asked him a question. "Do you
remember what I was saying about Julia and Archie when you were here
last?"

"Yes; I remember."

"Well, would he have a chance? It seems that you see more of her now
than any one else."

"No chance at all, I should say." And Harry, as he answered, could not
repress a feeling of most unreasonable jealousy.

"Ah, you have always thought little of Archie. Archie's position is
changed now, Harry