’Oh dear; I couldn’t describe her.  She is very large, and wears a great wig, and manages everything herself, and I’ve no doubt she’s a very good woman in her own way.’

’I can see her at once and a very pillar of virtue as regards morality and going to church.  Poor me!  Does she know that you have come here?’

’I have no doubt she does.  I did not tell her, nor would I tell her daughter; but I told Captain Aylmer.’

’That was right.  That was very right.  I’m so glad of that.  But who would doubt that you would show a groper spirit?  And what did he say?’

‘Not much, indeed.’

’I won’t trouble you about him.  I don’t in the least doubt but all that will come right.  And what sort of man is Sir Anthony?’

’A common-place sort of a man; very gouty, and with none of his wife’s strength.  I liked him the best of them all.’

‘Because you saw the least of him, I suppose.’

‘He was kind in his manner to me.’

’And they were like she-dragons.  I understand it all, and can see them just as though I had been there.  I felt that I knew what would come of it when you first told me that you were going to Aylmer Park, I did, indeed.  I could have prophesied it all.’

‘What a pity you did not.’

’It would have done no good and your going there has done good.  It has opened your eyes to more than one thing, I don’t doubt.  But tell me have you told them in Norfolk that you were coming here?’

‘No I have not written to my cousin.’

‘Don’t be angry with me if I tell you something.  I have.’

‘Have what?’

’I have told Mr Belton that you were coming here.  It was in this way.  I had to write to him about our continuing in the cottage.  Colonel Askerton always makes me write if it’s possible, and of course we were obliged to settle something as to the place.’

‘I’m sorry you said anything about me.’

’How could I help it?  What would you have thought of me, or what would he have thought, if, when writing to him, I had not mentioned such a thing as your visit?  Besides, it’s much better that he should know.’

‘I am sorry that you said anything about it.’

‘You are ashamed that he should know that you are here,’ said Mrs Askerton, in a tone of reproach.

’Ashamed!  No; I am not ashamed.  But I would sooner that he had not been told as yet.  Of course he would have been told before long.’

‘But you are not angry with me?’

‘Angry!  How can I be angry with any one who is so kind to me?’

That evening passed by very pleasantly, and when she went again to her own room, Clara was almost surprised to find how completely she was at home.  On the next day she and Mrs Askerton together went up to the house, and roamed through all the rooms, and Clara seated herself in all the accustomed chairs.  On the sofa, just in the spot to which Belton had thrown it, she found the key of the cellar.  She took it up in her band, thinking that she would give it to the servant; but again she put it back upon the sofa.  It was his key, and he had left it there, and if ever there came an occasion she would remind him where he had put it.  Then they went out to the cow, who was at her ease in a little home paddock.