The two widowed sisters were still at the great house when Sir Henry Clavering, with Harry and Fanny, went to Stratton, but they left it on the following day.  The father and son went up together to bid them farewell, on the eve of their departure, and to press upon them, over and over again, the fact that they were still to regard the Claverings of Clavering Park as their nearest relations and friends.  The eldest sister simply cried when this was said to her—­cried easily with plenteous tears, till the weeds which enveloped her seemed to be damp from the ever-running fountain.  Hitherto to weep had been her only refuge; but I think that even this had already become preferable to her former life.  Lady Ongar assured Sir Henry, or Mr. Clavering, as he was still called till after their departure, that she would always remember and accept his kindness.  “And you will come to us?” said he.  “Certainly; when I can make Hermy come.  She will be better when the Summer is here.  And then after that, we will think about it.”  On this occasion she seemed to be quite cheerful herself, and bade Harry farewell with all the frank affection of an old friend.

“I have given up the house in Bolton Street,” she said to him.

“And where do you mean to live?”

“Anywhere; just as it may suit Hermy.  What difference does it make?  We are going to Tenby now, and though Tenby seems to me to have as few attractions as any place I ever knew, I dare say we shall stay there, simply because we shall be there.  That consideration weighs most with such old women as we.  Good-by, Harry.”

“Good-by, Julia.  I hope I may yet see you—­you and Hermy, happy before long.”

“I don’t know much about happiness, Harry.  There comes a dream of it sometimes—­such as you have got now.  But I will answer for this—­you shall never hear of my being downhearted—­at least not on my own account,” she added, in a whisper.  “Poor Hermy may sometimes drag me down; but I will do my best.  And, Harry, tell your wife I shall write to her occasionally—­once a year, or something like that, so that she need not be afraid.  Good-by, Harry.”  “Good-by, Julia.”  And so they parted.

Immediately on her arrival at Tenby, Lady Ongar communicated to Mr. Turnbull her intention of giving back to the Courton family not only the place called Ongar Park, but also the whole of her income with the exception of eight hundred a year, so that in that respect she might be equal to her sister.  This brought Mr. Turnbull down to Tenby, and there was interview after interview between the countess and the lawyer.  The proposition, however, was made to the Courtons, and was absolutely refused by them.  Ongar Park was accepted on behalf of the mother of the present earl; but as regarded the money, the widow of the late earl was assured by the elder surviving brother that no one doubted her right to it, or would be a party to accepting it from her.  “Then,” said Lady Ongar, “it will accumulate in my hands, and I can leave it as I please in my will.”