Twice, as has been said before, words had seemed to tremble on his lips
which might have settled the question for her for ever; and on both
occasions, as she knew, she herself had helped to laugh off the
precious word that had been coming. But had he been thoroughly in
earnest in earnest as she would have him to be no laugh would have
deterred him from his purpose. Could she have laughed Will Belton out
of his declaration?

At last the lips ceased to move, and she knew that her aunt was in
truth asleep. The poor old lady hardly ever slept at night; but nature,
claiming something of its due, would give her rest such as this in her
arm-chair by the fire-side. They were sitting in a large double
drawing-room upstairs, in which there were, as was customary with Mrs
Winterfield in winter, two fires; and the candles were in the
back-room, while the two ladies sat in that looking out into the
street. This Mrs Winterfield did to save her eyes from the candles, and
yet to be within reach of light if it were wanted. And Clara also sat
motionless in the dark, careful not to disturb her aunt, and desirous
of being with her when she should awake. Captain Aylmer bad declared
his purpose of being home early from the Mayor's dinner, and the ladies
were to wait for his arrival before tea was brought to them. Clara was
herself almost asleep when the door was opened, and Captain Aylmer
entered the room.

'H sh!' she said, rising gently from her chair, and putting up her
finger. He saw her by the dull light of the fire, and closed the door
without a sound. Clara then crept into the back-room and he followed
her with a noiseless step. ' She did not sleep at all last night,' said
Clara; 'and now the unusual excitement of the day has fatigued her, and
I think it is better not to wake her.' The rooms were large, and they