of his visit to Lady
Ongar. It was absolutely necessary that he should see Lady Ongar before
he could come to Onslow Terrace, with possibility of becoming once more
the old Harry Clavering whom they were all to love. But Mrs. Burton
would by no means give up all hope. It was useless to say anything to
Florence, but she still hoped that good might come.

And then, as she thought of it all, a project came into her head. Alas,
and alas! Was she not too late with her project? Why had she not thought
of it on the Tuesday or early on the Wednesday, when it might possibly
have been executed? But it was a project which she must have kept secret
from her husband, of which he would by no means have approved; and as
she remembered this, she told herself that perhaps it was as well that
things should take their own course without such interference as she had
contemplated.

On the Thursday morning there came to her a letter in a strange hand. It
was from Clavering--from Harry's mother. Mrs. Clavering wrote, as she
said, at her son's request, to say that he was confined to his bed, and
could not be in London as soon as he expected. Mrs. Burton was not to
suppose that he was really ill, and none of the family were to be
frightened. From this Mrs. Burton learned that Mrs. Clavering knew
nothing of Harry's apostasy. The letter went on to say that Harry would
write as soon as he himself was able, and would probably be in London
early next week--at any rate before the end of it. He was a little
feverish, but there was no cause for alarm. Florence, of course, could
only listen and turn pale. Now, at any rate, she must remain in London.

Mrs. Burton's project, might, after all, be feasible; but then what if
her husband should really be angry with her? That was a misfortune which
never yet had come upon her.

Chapter XXXIX

Showing Why Harry Clavering Was Wanted At The Rectory

The letter which had summoned harry to the parsonage had been from his
mother, and had begged him to come to Clavering at once, as trouble had
come upon them from an unexpected source. His father had quarrelled with
Mr. Saul. The rector and the curate had had an interview, in which there
had been high words, and Mr. Clavering had refused to see Mr. Saul
again. Fanny also was in great trouble--and the parish was, as it were,
in hot water. Mrs. Clavering thought that Harry had better run down to
Clavering, and see Mr. Saul. Harry, not unwillingly, accede