ara's face with a hard,
almost passionate incredulity. Was that really all Clara had supposed?

"These Continentals," she went on, now lightly swaying to and fro in her
chair, "have singular notions of American women. They take us for
savages, my dear."

"Then isn't it for us to show them that we are more than usually
civilized? I can't run away from him like a frightened little native."

"Of course not; but that is where I come in; it's what I'm for--to get
rid of such things for you." That small, cool smile made Flora feel more
than ever the immature barbarian of her simile. Clara sat throwing the
protection of her superior knowledge and capability around her, like a
missionary garment; but Flora could have laughed with relief. Then Clara
merely supposed Kerr had been impertinent. Her little invasion had been
really nothing but pure kindness and protection; and Flora couldn't but
feel grateful for it. Last night she had thought herself so absolutely
alone; and here was a friend coming forward again, and stepping between
her and the thing above all others she was helpless about--the real
world.

Clara had risen, and stood considering a moment with that same sweet,
impersonal eye which Flora found it hardest to comprehend.

"What I mean," she explicitly stated, "is that if he should undertake to
carry out his preposterous suggestion, and call this afternoon, I am
quite ready, if you wish, to take him off your hands."

This last took Flora's breath away. It had not occurred to her that
Clara had overheard. It shocked her, frightened her; and yet Clara's way
of stating the fact, as if it were the most natural thing in the world,
made Flora feel that she herself was in the wrong to feel thus. For,
after all, Clara had been most tactful, most considerate and delicate in
conveying her knowledge, not hinting that Flora could have been in the
slightest degree responsible for Kerr's behavior; but simply sweetly
taking it for granted that they, of course, were banded together to
exclude this outlander. Under her sense of obligation, and what she felt
ought to be gratitude, Flora floundered for words.

"You're very kind," she managed to get out; and that seemed to leave her
committed to hand Kerr over, tied hand and foot, when she wasn't at all
sure she wanted to.

"Then shall I tell Mrs. Herrick that you will consider the house?" said
Clara, already in the act of departure. "She is to call to-day to go
into it with me m