and of all the people I ever knew he is the best, and the most
generous, and the least selfish. When he came to us papa was quite
hostile to him disliking his very name; but when the time came, papa
could not bear to think of his going, because he had been so good.'

'Clara!'

'Well, aunt.'

'I hope you know my affection for you.'

'Of course I do, aunt; and I hope you trust mine for you also.'

'Is there anything between you and Mr Belton besides cousinship?'

'Nothing.'

'Because if I thought that, my trouble would of course be at an end.'

'There is nothing but pray do not lot me be a trouble to you.' Clara,
for a moment, almost resolved to tell her aunt the whole truth; but she
remembered that she would be treating her cousin badly if she told the
story of his rejection.

There was another short period of silence, and then Mrs Winterfield
went on. 'Frederic thinks that I should make some provision for you by
will. That, of course, is the same as though he offered to do it
himself. I told him that it would be so, and I read him my will last
night. He said that that made no difference, and recommended me to add
a codicil. I asked him how much I ought to give you, and he said