ch as that from Captain Aylmer's words to herself, and
from his own manner. But she had not expected to be so frozen by them
as was the case with her now. In ten minutes she was sitting down
with her bonnet still on, and Lady Aylmer was again at her stitches.

"Shall I show you your room?" said Belinda.

"Wait a moment, my dear," said Lady Aylmer. "Frederic has gone to see
if Sir Anthony is in his study."

Sir Anthony was found in his study, and now made his appearance.

"So this is Clara Amedroz," he said. "My dear, you are welcome
to Aylmer Park." This was so much better, that the kindness
expressed,--though there was nothing special in it,--brought a tear
into Clara's eye, and almost made her love Sir Anthony.

"By the by, Sir Anthony, have you seen Darvel? Darvel was wanting
to see you especially about Nuggins. Nuggins says that he'll take
the bullocks now." This was said by Lady Aylmer, and was skilfully
arranged by her to put a stop to anything like enthusiasm on the part
of Sir Anthony. Clara Amedroz had been invited to Aylmer Park, and
was to be entertained there, but it would not be expedient that she
should be made to think that anybody was particularly glad to see
her, or that the family was at all proud of the proposed connection.
Within five minutes after this she was up in her room, and had
received from Belinda tenders of assistance as to her lady's maid.
Both the mother and daughter had been anxious to learn whether Clara
would bring her own maid. Lady Aylmer, thinking that she would do so,
had already blamed her for extravagance. "Of course Fred will have
to pay for the journey and all the rest of it," she had said. But
as soon as she had perceived that Clara had come without a servant,
she had perceived that any young woman who travelled in that way
must be unfit to be mated with her son. Clara, whose intelligence in
such matters was sharp enough, assured Belinda that she wanted no
assistance. "I dare say you think it very odd," she said, "but I
really can dress myself." And when the maid did come to unpack the
things, Clara would have sent her away at once had she been able. But
the maid, who was not a young woman, was obdurate. "Oh no, miss; my
lady wouldn't be pleased. If you please, miss, I'll do it." And so
the things were unpacked.

Clara was told that they dined at half-past seven, and she remained
alone in her room till dinner-time, although it had not yet struck
five when she had gone u