How can Clara say whether she has repented or not?  But that has nothing to do with it.  Not quarrel with her as she calls it!  Not give her up!  Then, Frederic, of course it must be all over, as far as you are concerned.’  When she had finished her reading, she returned the letter, still open, to her son, shaking her head almost triumphantly.  As far as I am a judge of a young woman’s character, I can only give you one counsel,’ said Lady Aylmer solemnly.

‘I think that she should have another chance,’ said Captain Aylmer.

’What other chance can you give her?  It seems to me that she is obstinately bent on her own destruction.’

‘You might ask her to come here, as Belinda suggested.’

’Belinda was very foolish to suggest anything of the kind without more consideration.’

’I suppose that my future wife would be made welcome here?

’Yes, Frederic, certainly.  I do not know who could be more welcome.  But is she to be your wife?’

‘We are engaged.’

’But does not that letter break any engagement?  Is there not enough in that to make such a marriage quite out of the question?  What do you think about it yourself, Frederic?’

‘I think that she should have another chance.’

What would Clara have thought of all this herself if she could have heard the conversation between Lady Aylmer and her betrothed husband, and have known that her lover was proposing to give her ’another chance?’ But it is lucky for us that we seldom know what our best friends say on our behalf, when they discuss us and our faults behind our backs.

’What chance, Frederic, can she have?  She knows all about this horrid woman, and yet refuses to give her up!  What chance can she have after that?’

‘I think that you might have her here and talk to her.’  Lady Aylmer, in answer to this, simply shook her head.  And I think she was right in supposing that such shaking of her head was a sufficient reply to her son’s proposition.  What talking could possibly be of service to such a one as this Miss Amedroz?  Why should she throw her pearls before swine?  ‘We must either ask her to come here, or else I must go to her,’ said Captain Aylmer.

‘I don’t see that at all, Frederic.’

’I think it must be so.  As she is situated at present she has got no home; and I think it would be very horrid that she should be driven into that woman’s house, simply because she has no other shelter for her head.’

’I suppose she can remain where she is for the present?

’She is all alone, you know; and it must be very gloomy and her cousin can turn her out at a moment’s notice.’

‘But that would not entitle her to come here, unless’

’No I quite understand that.  But you cannot wonder that I should feel the hardship of her position.’

’Who is to be blamed if it be hard?  You see, Frederic, I take my standing upon that letter her own letter.  How am I to ask a young woman into my house who declares openly that my opinion on such a matter goes for nothing with her?  How am I to do it?  That’s what I ask you.  How am I to do it?  It’s all very well for Belinda to suggest this and that.  But how am I to do it?  That’s what I want to know.’