should be said as to the actual destination of the rooms.
A day should be fixed for choosing the furnishing. Or the gentleman
should declare that he will at once buy the cows for the farm. But
with Frederic Aylmer all discussions seemed to point to some cold,
distant future, to which Clara might look forward as she did to the
joys of heaven. Will Belton would have bought the ring long since,
and bespoken the priest, and arranged every detail of the honeymoon
tour,--and very probably would have stood looking into a cradle shop
with longing eyes.

At last there came an absolute necessity for some plain speaking.
Captain Aylmer declared his intention of returning to London that he
might resume his parliamentary duties. He had purposed to remain till
after Easter, but it was found to be impossible. "I find I must go
up to-morrow," he said at breakfast. "They are going to make a stand
about the Poor-rates, and I must be in the House in the evening."
Clara felt herself to be very cold and uncomfortable. As things were
at present arranged she was to be left at Aylmer Park without a
friend. And how long was she to remain there? No definite ending had
been proposed for her visit. Something must be said and something
settled before Captain Aylmer went away.

"You will come down for Easter, of course," said his mother.

"Yes; I shall come down for Easter, I think,--or at any rate at
Whitsuntide."

"You must come at Easter, Frederic," said his mother.

"I don't doubt but I shall," said he.

"Miss Amedroz should lay her commands upon him," said Sir Anthony
gallantly.

"Nonsense," said Lady Aylmer.

"I have commands to lay upon him all the same," said Clara; "and if
he will give me half an hour this morning he shall have them." To
this Captain Aylmer, of course, assented,--as how could he escape
from such assent,--and a regular appointment was made. Captain Aylmer
and Miss Amedroz were to be closeted together in the little back
drawing-room immediately after breakfast. Clara would willingly have
avoided any such formality could she have done so compatibly with the
exigencies of the occasion. She had been obliged to assert herself
when Lady Aylmer had rebuked Sir Anthony, and then Lady Aylmer had
determined that an air of business should be assumed. Clara, as
she was marched off into the back drawing-room, followed by her
lover with more sheep-like gait even than her own, felt strongly
the absurdity and the wretchedness of