face, and speaking as though he were
altogether oblivious of the scenes of yesterday. "I was thinking,
Hermy," he said, "that you might have Julia down here while I am away."

"Have Julia here?"

"Yes; why not? She'll come, I'm sure, when she knows that my back is
turned."

"I've never thought about asking her--at least not lately."

"No; of course. But you might as well do so now. It seems that she never
goes to Ongar Park, and, as far as I can learn, never will. I'm going to
see her myself."

"You going to see her?"

"Yes; Lord Ongar's people want to know whether she can be induced to
give up the place; that is, to sell her interest in it. I have promised
to see her. Do you write her a letter first, and tell her that I want to
see her; and ask her also to come here as soon as she can leave London."

"But wouldn't the lawyers: do it better than you?"

"Well; one would think so; but I am commissioned to make her a kind of
apology from the whole Courton family. They fancy they've been hard upon
her; and, by George, I believe they have. I may be able to say a word
for myself too. If she isn't a fool she'll put her anger in her pocket,
and come down to you."

Lady Clavering liked the idea of having her sister with her, but she was
not quite meek enough to receive the permission now given her as full
compensation for the injury done. She said that she would do as he had
bidden her, and then went back to her own grievances. "I don't suppose
Julia, even if she would come for a little time, would find it very
pleasant to live in such a place as this, all alone."

"She wouldn't be all alone when you are with her," said Hugh, gruffly,
and then again went out, leaving his wife to become used to her
misfortune by degrees.

Chapter XLII

Parting

It was not surprising that Lady Clavering should dislike her solitude at
Clavering Park house, nor surprising that Sir Hugh should find the place
disagreeable. The house was a large, square stone building, with none of
the prettinesses of modern country-houses about it. The gardens were
away from the house, and the cold, desolate, fiat park came up close
around the windows: The rooms were very large and lofty--very excellent
for the purpose of a large household, but with nothing of that snug,
pretty comfort which solitude requires for its solace. The furniture was
old and heavy, and the hangings were dark in color. Lady Clavering when
alone there--and she genera