Hereupon the sisters alternated in addressing Clara, and she gazed from one to the other, piecing fragments of empty signification to get the full meaning when she might.

“—­And in saying your happiness, dear Clara, we have our Willoughby’s in view, which is dependent on yours.”

“—­And we never could sanction that our own inclinations should stand in the way.”

“—­No.  We love the old place; and if it were only our punishment for loving it too idolatrously, we should deem it ground enough for our departure.”

“—­Without, really, an idea of unkindness; none, not any.”

“—­Young wives naturally prefer to be undisputed queens of their own establishment.”

“—­Youth and age!”

“But I,” said Clara, “have never mentioned, never had a thought . . .”

“—­You have, dear child, a lover who in his solicitude for your happiness both sees what you desire and what is due to you.”

“—­And for us, Clara, to recognize what is due to you is to act on it.”

“—­Besides, dear, a sea-side cottage has always been one of our dreams.”

“—­We have not to learn that we are a couple of old maids, incongruous associates for a young wife in the government of a great house.”

“—­With our antiquated notions, questions of domestic management might arise, and with the best will in the world to be harmonious!”

“—­So, dear Clara, consider it settled.”

“—­From time to time gladly shall we be your guests.”

“—­Your guests, dear, not censorious critics.”

“And you think me such an Egoist!—­dear ladies!  The suggestion of so cruel a piece of selfishness wounds me.  I would not have had you leave the Hall.  I like your society; I respect you.  My complaint, if I had one, would be, that you do not sufficiently assert yourselves.  I could have wished you to be here for an example to me.  I would not have allowed you to go.  What can he think of me!  Did Willoughby speak of it this morning?”

It was hard to distinguish which was the completer dupe of these two echoes of one another in worship of a family idol.

“Willoughby,” Miss Eleanor presented herself to be stamped with the title hanging ready for the first that should open her lips, “our Willoughby is observant—­he is ever generous—­and he is not less forethoughtful.  His arrangement is for our good on all sides.”

“An index is enough,” said Miss Isabel, appearing in her turn the monster dupe.

“You will not have to leave, dear ladies.  Were I mistress here I should oppose it.”

“Willoughby blames himself for not reassuring you before.”

“Indeed we blame ourselves for not undertaking to go.”

“Did he speak of it first this morning?” said Clara; but she could draw no reply to that from them.  They resumed the duet, and she resigned herself to have her cars boxed with nonsense.