e
well that she should be made to vanish from off the earth. She
had read Captain Aylmer's letter over and over again since she
had answered it, and had read nearly as often the copy of her own
reply,--and had told herself, as she read them, that of course he
would not forgive her. He might perhaps pardon her, if she would
submit to him in everything; but that she would not submit to his
commands respecting Mrs. Askerton she was fully resolved,--and,
therefore, there could be no hope. Then, when she remembered how
lately her dear father's spirit had fled, she hated herself for
having allowed her mind to dwell on anything beyond her loss of him.

She was still in her bedroom, having fallen into that half-waking
slumber which the numbness of sorrow so often produces, when word
was brought to her that Mrs. Askerton was in the house. It was
the first time that Mrs. Askerton had ever crossed the door, and
the remembrance that it was so came upon her at once. During her
father's lifetime it had seemed to be understood that their neighbour
should have no admittance there;--but now,--now that her father was
gone,--the barrier was to be overthrown. And why not? Why should not
Mrs. Askerton come to her? Why, if Mrs. Askerton chose to be kind to
her, should she not altogether throw herself into her friend's arms?
Of course her doing so would give mortal offence to everybody at
Aylmer Park; but why need she stop to think of that? She had already
made up her mind that she would not obey orders from Aylmer Park on
this subject.

She had not seen Mrs. Askerton since that interview between them
which was described some few chapters back. Then everything had been
told between them, so that there was no longer any mystery either on
the one side or on the other. Then Clara had assured her friend of
her loving friendship in spite of any edicts to the contrary which
might come from Aylmer Park; and after that what could be more
natural than that Mrs. Askerton should come to her in her sorrow.
"She says she'll come up to you if you'll let her," said the servant.
But Clara declined this proposition, and in a few minutes went down
to the small parlour in which she had lately lived, and where she
found her visitor.

"My poor dear, this has been very sudden," said Mrs. Askerton.

"Very sudden;--very sudden. And yet, now that he has gone, I know
that I expected it."

"Of course I came to you as soon as I heard of it, because I knew
you we