be allowed to miss a meal. Pudge always says, with his sententious
shake of the head, that the young squire was very particular about
Bessy."

"Those Alderneys want a little care,--that's all."

Bessy was of no better service to Clara in her present difficulty
than the less aristocratic herd of common cattle. There was a pause
for a moment, and then she began again. "How did you leave your
sister, Will?"

"Much the same as usual. I think she has borne the first of the cold
weather better than she did last year."

"I do so wish that I knew her."

"Perhaps you will some day. But I don't suppose that you ever will."

"Why not?"

"It's not likely that you'll ever come to Plaistow now;--and Mary
never leaves it except to go to my uncle's."

Clara instantly knew that he had heard of her engagement, though
she could not imagine from what source he had heard it. There was
something in the tone of his voice,--something especially in the
expression of that word "now," which told her that it must be so.
"I should be so glad to go there if I could," she said, with that
special hypocrisy which belongs to women, and is allowed to them;
"but, of course, I cannot leave papa in his present state."

"And if you did leave him you would not go to Plaistow."

"Not unless you and Mary asked me."

"And you wouldn't if we did. How could you?"

"What do you mean, Will? It seems as though you were almost savage to
me."

"Am I? Well;--I feel savage, but not to you."

"Nor to any one, I hope, belonging to me." She knew that it was
all coming; that the whole subject of her future life must now be
discussed; and she began to fear that the discussion might not be
easy. But she did not know how to give it a direction. She feared
that he would become angry, and yet she knew not why. He had accepted
his own rejection tranquilly, and could hardly take it as an offence
that she should now be engaged to Captain Aylmer.

"Mr. Green has told me," said he, "that you are going to be married."

"How could Mr. Green have known?"

"He did know;--at least I suppose he knew, for he told me."

"How very odd."

"I suppose it is true?" Clara did not make any immediate answer, and
then he repeated the question. "I suppose it is true?"

"It is true that I am engaged."

"To Captain Aylmer?"

"Yes; to Captain Aylmer. You know that I had known him very long. I
hope that you are not angry with me because I did not write and tell
you. Strange a