You and I have never yet known each other which has been a grief to me; but this grief, I hope, may be cured some day before long.  I myself, as you know, am such a poor creature that I cannot go about the world to see my friends as other people do at least, not very well; and therefore I write to you with the object of asking you to come and see me here.  This is an interesting old house in its way; and though I must not conceal from you that life here is very, very quiet, I would do my best to make the days pass pleasantly with you.  I had heard that you were gone to Aylmer Park.  Indeed, William told me of his taking you up to London.  Now it seems you have left Yorkshire, and I suppose you will not return there very soon.  If it be so, will it not be well that you should come to me for a short time?

Both William and I feel that just for the present for a little time you would perhaps prefer to be alone with me.  He must go to London for awhile, and then on to Belton, to settle your affairs and his.  He intends to be absent for six weeks.  If you would not be afraid of the dullness of this house for so long a time, pray come to us.  The pleasure to me would be very great, and I hope that you have some of that feeling, which with me is so strong, that we ought not to be any longer personally strangers to each other.  You could then make up your mind as to what you would choose to do afterwards.  I think that by the end of that time that is, when William returns my uncle and aunt from Sleaford will be with us.  He is a clergyman, you know; and if you then like to remain, they will be delighted to make your acquaintance.

It seems to be a long journey for a young lady to make alone, from Belton to Plaistow; but travelling is so easy now-a-days, and young ladies seem to be so independent, that you may be able to manage it.  Hoping to see you soon, I remain

Your affectionate Cousin,

Mary Belton.’

This letter she received before breakfast, and was therefore able to read it in solitude, and to keep its receipt from the knowledge of Mrs Askerton, if she should be so minded.  She understood at once all that it intended to convey a hint that Plaistow Hall would be a better resting place for her than Mrs Askerton’s cottage; and an assurance that if she would go to Plaistow Hall for her convenience, no advantage should be taken of her presence there by the owner of the house for his convenience.  As she sat thinking of the offer which had been made to her she fancied that she could see and hear her Cousin Will as he discussed the matter with his sister, and with a half assumption of surliness declared his own intention of going away.  Captain Aylmer, after that interview in London, had spoken of Belton’s conduct as being unpardonable; but Clara had not only pardoned him, but had, in her own mind, pronounced his virtues to be so much greater than his vices as to make him almost perfect.  ’But I will not drive him out of his own house,’ she said.  ‘What does it matter where I go?’