’I suppose not.  But it will be a sad loss a sad loss to have this house empty.  Ah I shall never forget her kindness to me.  Do you know, Miss Amedroz,’ and as he told his little secret he became beautifully confidential ’do you know, she always used to send me ten guineas at Christmas to help me along.  She understood, as well as any one, how hard it is for a gentleman to live on seventy pounds a year.  You will not wonder that I should feel that I’ve had a loss.’  It is hard for a gentleman to live upon seventy pounds a year; and it is very hard, too, for a lady to live upon nothing a year, which lot in life fate seemed to have in store for Miss Amedroz.

On the Friday evening Captain Aylmer came back, and Clara was in truth glad to see him.  Her aunt’s death had been now far enough back to admit of her telling Martha that she would not dine till Captain Aylmer had come, and to allow her to think somewhat of his comfort.  People must eat and drink even when the grim monarch is in the house; and it is a relief when they first dare to do so with some attention to the comforts which are ordinarily so important to them.  For themselves alone women seldom care to exercise much trouble in this direction; but the presence of a man at once excuses and renders necessary the ceremony of a dinner.  So Clara prepared for the arrival, and greeted the corner with some returning pleasantness of manner.  And he, too, was pleasant with her, telling her of his plans, and speaking to her as though she were one of those whom it was natural that he should endeavour to interest in his future welfare.

‘When I come back tomorrow,’ he said, ’the will must be opened and read.  It had better be done here.’  They were sitting over the fire in the dining-room, after dinner, and Clara knew that the coming back to which he alluded was his return from the funeral.  But she made no answer to this, as she wished to say nothing about her aunt’s will.  ‘And after that,’ he continued, ‘you had better let me take you out.’

‘I am very well,’ she said.  ‘I do not want any special taking out.’

‘But you have been confined to the house a whole week.’

’Women are accustomed to that, and do not feel it as you would.  However, I will walk with you if you’ll take me.’

’Of course I’ll take you.  And then we must settle our future plans.  Have you fixed upon any day yet for returning?  Of course, the longer you stay, the kinder you will be.’

‘I can do no good to any one by staying.’

’You do good to me but I suppose I’m nobody.  I wish I could tell what to do about this house.  Dear, good old woman!  I know she would have wished that I should keep it in my own hands, with some idea of living here at some future time but of course I shall never live here.’

‘Why not?’

‘Would you like it yourself?’

’I am not Member of Parliament for Perivale, and should not be the leading person in the town.  You would be a sort of king here; and then, some day, you will have your mother’s property as well as your aunt’s; and you would be near to your own tenants.’