‘Colonel Askerton has had a letter from your cousin,’ said Mrs Askerton as soon as the two ladies were alone together.

‘And what does he say?’

‘Not a word about you.’

’So much the better.  I have given him trouble enough, and am glad to think that he should be free of me for awhile.  Is Colonel Askerton to stay at the cottage?’

‘Now, Clara, you are a hypocrite.  You know that you are a hypocrite.’

‘Very likely but I don’t know why you should accuse me just now.’

‘Yes, you do.  Have not you heard from Norfolk also?’ ‘Yes I have.’

’I was sure of it.  I knew he would never have written in that way, in answer to my letter, ignoring your visit here altogether, unless he had written to you also.’

’But he has not written to me.  My letter is from his sister.  There it is.’  Whereupon she handed the letter to Mrs Askerton, and waited patiently while it was being read.  Her friend returned it to her without a word, and Clara was the first to speak again.  ’It is a nice letter, is it not?  I never saw her, you know.’

‘So she says.’

‘But is it not a kind letter?’

’I suppose it is meant for kindness.  It is not very complimentary to me.  It presumes that such a one as I may be treated without the slightest consideration.  And so I may.  It is only fit that I should be so treated.  If you ask my advice, I advise you to go at once at once.’

‘But I have not asked your advice, dear; nor do I intend to ask it.’

‘You would not have shown it me if you had not intended to go.’

’How unreasonable you are!  You told me just now that I was a hypocrite for not telling you of my letter, and now you are angry with me because I have shown it you.’

’I am not angry.  I think you have been quite right to show it me.  I don’t know how else you could have acted upon it.’

’But I do not mean to act upon it.  I shall not go to Plaistow.  There are two reasons against it, each sufficient.  I shall not leave you just yet unless you send me away; and I shall not cause my cousin to be turned out of his own house.’

’Why should he be turned out?  Why should you not go to him?  You love him and as for him, he is more in love than any man I ever knew.  Go to Plaistow Hall, and everything will run smooth.’

‘No, dear; I shall not do that.’

’Then you are foolish.  I am bound to tell you so, as I have inveigled you here.’

‘I thought I had invited myself.’

’No; I asked you to come, and when I asked you I knew that I was wrong.  Though I meant to be kind, I knew that I was unkind.  I saw that my husband disapproved it, though he had not the heart to tell me so.  I wish he had.  I wish he had.’

’Mrs Askerton, I cannot tell you how much you wrong yourself, and how you wrong me also.  I am more than contented to be here.’