The walk back to the house was not of itself very exciting, though to Clara it was a short period of unalloyed bliss.  No doubt had then come upon her to cloud her happiness, and she was ’wrapped up in measureless content.’  It was well that they should both be silent at such a moment.  Only yesterday had been buried their dear old friend the friend who had brought them together, and been so anxious for their future happiness!  And Clara Amedroz was not a young girl, prone to jump out of her shoes with elation because she had got a lover.  She could be steadily happy without many immediate words about her happiness.  When they reached the house, and were once more together in the drawing-room, she again gave him her hand, and was the first to speak.  And you; are you contented?’ she asked.  Who does not know the smile of triumph with which a girl asks such a question at such a moment as that?

‘Contented? well yes; I think I am,’ he said.

But even those words did not move her to doubt.  ‘If you are,’ she said,’ I am.  And now I will leave you till dinner, that you may think over what you have done.’

‘I had thought about it before, you know,’ he replied.  Then he stooped over her and kissed her.  It was the first time he had done so; but his kiss was as cold and proper as though they had been man and wife for years!  But it sufficed for her, and she went to her room as happy as a queen.

CHAPTER XI

MISS AMEDROZ IS TOO CANDID BY HALE

Clara, when she left her accepted lover in the drawing-room and went up to her own chamber, had two hours for consideration before she would see him again and she had two hours for enjoyment.  She was very happy.  She thoroughly believed in the man who was to be her husband, feeling confident that he possessed those qualities which she thought to be most necessary for her married happiness.  She had quizzed him at times, pretending to make it matter of accusation against him that his life was not in truth all that his aunt believed it to be but had it been more what Mrs Winterfield would have wished, it would have been less to Clara’s taste.  She liked his position in the world; she liked the feeling that he was a man of influence; perhaps she liked to think that to some extent he was a man of fashion.  He was not handsome, but he looked always like a gentleman.  He was well educated, given to reading, prudent, steady in his habits, a man likely to rise in the world; and she loved him.  I fear the reader by this time may have begun to think that her love should never have been given to such a man.  To this accusation I will make no plea at present, but I will ask the complainant whether such men are not always loved.  Much is said of the rashness of women in giving away their hearts wildly; but the charge when made generally is, I think, an unjust one.  I am more often astonished by the prudence of girls than by their recklessness.