’No, no; it will not be the last.  But do not talk about these things.  And it will be so much better that I should be here when he is not here.’

’I had hoped that when I died you might both be with me together as husband and wife.’

‘Such hopes never come to anything.’

‘I still think that he would wish it.’

‘That is nonsense, aunt. it is indeed, for neither of us wish it.’  A lie on such a subject from a woman under such circumstances is hardly to be considered a lie at all.  It is spoken with no mean object, and is the only bulwark which the woman has ready at her need to cover her own weakness.

‘From what he said yesterday,’ continued Mrs Winterfield, ’I think it is your own fault.’

’Pray pray do not talk in that way.  It cannot be matter of any fault that two people do not want to marry each other.’

’Of course I asked him no positive question.  It would be indelicate even in me to have done that.  But he spoke as though he thought very highly of you.’

‘No doubt he does.  And so do I of Mr Possitt.’

‘Mr Possitt is a very excellent young man,’ said Mrs Winterfield, gravely.  Mr Possitt was, indeed, her favourite curate of Perivale, and always dined at the house on Sundays between services, when Mrs Winter-field was very particular in seeing that he took two glasses of her best port wine to support him.  ’But Mr Possitt has nothing but his curacy.’

‘There is no danger, aunt, I can assure you.’

’I don’t know what you call danger; but Frederic seemed to think that you are always sharp with him.  You don’t want to quarrel with him, I hope, because I love him better than any one in the world?’

‘Oh, aunt, what cruel things you say to me without thinking of them!’

’I do not mean to be cruel, but I will say nothing more about him.  As I told you before that I had not thought it expedient to leave away any portion of my little property from Frederic believing, as I did then, that the money intended for you by your father was still remaining it is best that you should now know that I have at last learnt the truth, and that I will at once see my lawyer about making the change.’

‘Dear aunt, of course I thank you.’

’I want no thanks, Clara.  I humbly strive to do what I believe to be my duty.  I have never felt myself to be more than a steward of my money.  That I have often failed in my stewardship I know well for in what duties do we not all fail?’ Then she gently laid herself back in her arm-chair, closing her eyes, while she kept fast clasped in her hands the little book of daily devotion which she had been striving to read when the conversation had been commenced.  Clara knew then that nothing more was to be said, and that she was not at present to interrupt her aunt.  From her posture, and the closing of her eyelids, Mrs Winterfield might have been judged to be asleep; but Clara could see the gentle motion of her lips, and was aware that her aunt was solacing herself with prayer.