'Dear me!' said Mrs Winterfield. 'And yet his wife was housekeeper
formerly in a family that lived very well!' The Mrs Winterfields of
this world allow themselves little spiteful pleasures of this kind,
repenting of them, no doubt, in those frequent moments in which they
talk to their friends of their own terrible vilenesses. Captain Aylmer
then explained that his own health had been drunk, and his aunt desired
to know whether, in returning thanks, he had been able to say anything
further against that wicked Divorce Act of Parliament. This her nephew
was constrained to answer with a negative, and so the conversation was
carried on till tea was over. She was very anxious to hear every word
that he could be made to utter as to his own doings in Parliament, and
as to his doings in Perivale, and hung upon him with that wondrous
affection which old people with warm hearts feel for those whom they
have selected as their favourites. Clara saw it all, and knew that her
aunt was almost doting.

'I think I'll go up to bed now, my dears,' said Mrs Winterfield, when
she had taken her cup of tea. 'I am tired with those weary stairs in
the Town-hall, and I shall be better in my own room.' Clara offered to
go with her, but this attendance her aunt declined as she did always.
So the bell was rung, and the old maid. servant walked off with her
mistress, and Miss Amedroz and Captain Aylmer were left together.

'I don't think she will last long,' said Captain Aylmer, soon after the
door was closed.

'I should be sorry to believe that; but she is certainly much altered.'

'She has great courage to keep her up and a feeling that she should not
give way, but do her duty to the last. In spite of all that, however, I