ure to tell him all that was occurring, though he
saw by the tone of her letters that she was unhappy and ill at ease from
some cause or other, besides the natural grief she felt for the loss of
her father, and her anxiety about Harry. She had heard of his arrival,
and that his regiment was ordered up the country, but she had received
no answer to the letter she wrote, describing the services at the
church, and the various changes introduced by the vicar. Her aunt had,
in the meantime, become less agreeable and communicative even than
before. She was constantly absorbed in the books lent her by Mr Lerew,
and she very frequently drove over to the Vicarage to see him. Clara
had at first felt but little interest in the two works he had presented
to her; she had glanced over their pages, and was somewhat startled at
the language used and the advice given in them, so different to that to
which she had been accustomed. On one of his visits he inquired whether
she had studied them, and she had to confess the truth. He then
entreated her not to risk her spiritual welfare by any longer neglecting
to read the works so calculated to advance it. She promised to follow
his advice. Had Clara known more of the world, and possessed more
self-reliance, her eyes might have been opened by what she read; but she
wanted some one to lean on, and on her aunt's judgment she had no
reliance. The vicar appeared, from his position and serious manner, to
be the person in whom she ought to confide. Had the general been at
Luton, she would have gone to him; but she could not write what she
might have spoken; and she finally gave herself up to the guidance of
Mr Lerew, as her aunt had long since done.

The following Sunday the communion was to be held, or, as the vicar
expressed it, the Holy Eucharist was to be celebrated; "But," he added,
"I have made it a rule that I will administer it to none who have not
made confession and received that absolution I am authorised to grant."

"I was not aware of that," said Clara; "how long has that rule existed?"

"I have only lately made it," he replied, "and from it I cannot depart."

Clara hesitated; but her aunt, who had several times gone to confession,
assured her that there was nothing in it very terrible, and overcame her
scruples. Clara promised to go. It was held in the vestry, one person
at a time only being admitted. The questions asked and the answers
given cannot be repeated. Clara,