soon as Captain Berdmore died, and this took
place before she came to Belton. I hope you will remember
that. It all occurred out in India, and I really hardly
know what business we have to inquire about it now.

At any rate, as I have been acquainted with her a long
time, and very intimately, and as I am sure that she has
repented of anything that has been wrong, I do not think
that I ought to quarrel with her now. Indeed I have
promised her that I will not. I think I owe it you to tell
you the whole truth, and that is the truth.

Pray give my regards to your mother, and tell her that
I am sure she would judge differently if she were in my
place. This poor woman has no other friend here; and who
am I, that I should take upon myself to condemn her? I
cannot do it. Dear Frederic, pray do not be angry with
me for asserting my own will in this matter. I think
you would wish me to have an opinion of my own. In my
present position I am bound to have one, as I am, as yet,
responsible for what I do myself. I shall be very, very
sorry, if I find that you differ from me; but still I
cannot be made to think that I am wrong. I wish you were
here, that we might talk it over together, as I think that
in that case you would agree with me.

If you can manage to come to us at Easter, or any other
time when Parliament does not keep you in London, we shall
be so delighted to see you.

Dear Frederic,
Yours very affectionately,

CLARA AMEDROZ.

CHAPTER XIX.

MISS AMEDROZ HAS ANOTHER CHANCE.

It was on a Sunday morning that Clara's letter reached Aylmer Park,
and Frederic Aylmer found it on his plate as he took his place at the
breakfast-table. Domestic habits at Aylmer Park had grown with the
growth of years till they had become adamantine, and domestic habits
required prayers every morning at a quarter before nine o'clock.
At twenty minutes before nine Lady Aylmer would always be in the
dining-room to make the tea and open the post-bag, and as she was
always there alone, she knew more about other people's letters than
other people ever knew about hers. When these operations were over
she rang the bell, and the servants of the family, who by that time
had already formed themselves into line in the hall, would march
in, and settle themselves on benches prepared for them near the
side-board,--which benches were afterwards carried away by