change; the lips were no longer malignant, her forehead had relaxed
from its haughty frown. The past fortnight had been a period of
contest between her father's stubborn fears and her own
determination to change the mode of her life. Her self-will was only
intensified by opposition. John had often enough experienced this,
but hitherto the points at issue had been trifles, matters in which
the father could yield for the sake of pleasing his child. Serious
resistance brought out for the first time all the selfish forces of
her nature. She was prepared to go all lengths rather than submit,
now the question of her liberty had once been broached. Already
there was a plan in her mind for quitting home, regardless of all
the misery she would cause, reckless of what future might be in
store for herself. But the first sign of yielding on her father's
part touched the gentler elements of her nature. Thus was she
constituted; merciless in egotism when put to the use of all her
weapons, moved to warmest gratitude as soon as concession was made
to her. To be on ill terms with her father had caused her pain, the
only effect of which, however, was to heighten the sullen
impracticability of her temper. At the first glimpse of relief from
overstrained emotions, she desired that all angry feeling should be
at an end. Having gained her point, she could once more be the
affectionately wilful girl whose love was the first necessity of
John Hewett's existence.

'Well,' John pursued, reading her features eagerly, 'I'll say no
more about that, and I won't stand in the way of what you've set
your mind on. But understand, Clara, my girl! It's because Sidney
persuaded me. Sidney answers for it, mind you that!'

His voice trembled, and he looked at the young man with something