can see how changed she is since the summer. Have you ever thought how
sad it will be if she should be alone when the day comes?'

'She has Martha, who is more to her now than any one else unless it is
you.'

'You could not remain with her over Christmas, I suppose?'

'Who, I? What would my father do? Papa is as old, or nearly as old, as
my aunt.'

'But he is strong.'

'He is very lonely. He would be more lonely than she is, for he has no
such servant as Martha to be with him. Women can do better than men, I
think, when they come to my aunt's age.'

>From this they got into a conversation as to the character of the lady
with whom they were both so nearly connected, and, in spite of all that
Clara could do to prevent it, continual references were made by Captain
Aylmer to her money and will, and the need of an addition to that will
on Clara's behalf. At last she was driven to speak out. 'Captain
Aylmer,' she said, 'the subject is so distasteful to me, that I must
ask you not to speak about it.'

'In my position I am driven to think about it.'

'I cannot, of course, help your thoughts; but I can assure you that
they are unnecessary.'