had thought of asking her friend plainly whether the names of Vigo and Berdmore had ever been familiar to her; but she reminded herself that there had been rumours afloat, and that there might be a mystery.  Mrs Askerton would sometimes talk of her early life; but she would do this with dreamy, indistinct language, speaking of the sorrows of her girlhood, but not specifying their exact nature, seldom mentioning any names, and never referring with clear personality to those who had been nearest to her when she had been a child.  Clara had seen her friend’s maiden name, Mary Oliphant, written in a book, and seeing it had alluded to it.  On that occasion Mrs Askerton had spoken of herself as having been an Oliphant, and thus Clara had come to know the fact.  But now, as she made her way to the cottage, she remembered that she had learned nothing more than this as to Mrs Askerton’s early life.  Such being the case, she hardly knew how to ask any question about the two names that had been mentioned.  And yet, why should she not ask such a question?  Why should she doubt Mrs Askerton?  And if she did doubt, why should not her doubts be solved?

She found Colonel Askerton and his wife together, and she certainly would ask no such question in his presence.  He was a slight built, wiry man, about fifty, with iron-grey hair and beard who seemed to have no trouble in life, and to desire but few pleasures.  Nothing could be more regular than the course of his days, and nothing more idle.  He breakfasted at eleven, smoked and read till the afternoon, when he rode for an hour or two; then he dined, read again, smoked again, and went to bed.  In September and October he shot, and twice in the year, as has been before stated, went away to seek a little excitement elsewhere.  He seemed to be quite contented with his lot, and was never heard to speak an angry word with any one.  Nobody cared for him much; but then he troubled himself with no one’s affairs.  He never went to church, and had not eaten or drank in any house but his own since he had come to Belton.

‘Oh, Clara, you naughty girl,’ said Mrs Askerton, ’why didn’t you come yesterday?  I was expecting you all day.’

’I was busy.  Really, we’ve grown to be quite industrious people since my cousin came.’

‘They tell me he’s taking the land into his own hands,’ said the colonel.

’Yes, indeed; and he is going to build sheds, and buy cattle; and I don’t know what he doesn’t mean to do; so that we shall be alive again.’

‘I hope he won’t want my shooting.’

‘He has shooting of his own in Norfolk,’ said Clara.

’Then he’ll hardly care to come here for that purpose.  When I heard of his proceedings I began to be afraid.’

‘I don’t think he would do anything to annoy you for the world,’ said Clara, enthusiastically.  ‘He’s the most unselfish person I ever met.’

’He’d have a perfect right to take the shooting if he liked it that is always supposing that he and your father agreed about it.’