that. But who can say what is absolutely wrong, and what only imprudent?
I think she was too proud to go really astray. And then with such a man
as that, so difficult and so ill-tempered--! Sir Hugh thinks--" But at
that moment the door was opened and Sir Hugh came in.

"What does Sir Hugh think?" said he.

"We were speaking of Lord Ongar," said Harry, sitting up and shaking
hands with his cousin.

"Then, Harry, you were speaking on a subject that I would rather not
have discussed in this house. Do you understand that, Hermione? I will
have no talking about Lord Ongar or his wife. We know very little, and
what we hear is simply uncomfortable. Will you dine here to-day, Harry?"

"Thank you, no; I have only just come home."

"And I am just going away. That is, I go to-morrow. I cannot stand this
place. I think it the dullest neighborhood in all England, and the most
gloomy house I ever saw. Hermione likes it."

To this last assertion Lady Clavering expressed no assent; nor did she
venture to contradict him.




Chapter V

Lady Ongar's Return