room. 'Tell Frederic', she said, 'to send at once for Mr Palmer.' Now
Clara knew that Mr Palmer was the attorney, and resolved that she would
give no such message to Captain Aylmer. But Mrs Winterfield sent for
her nephew, who had just left her, and herself gave her orders to him.
In the course of the morning there came tidings from the attorney's
office that Mr Palmer was away from Perivale, that he would be back on
the morrow, and that he would of course wait on Mrs Winterfield
immediately on his return.

Captain Aylmer and Miss Amedroz discussed nothing but their aunt's
state of health that morning over the breakfast-table. Of course, under
such circumstances in the house, there was no further immediate
reference made to that offer of dearest friendship. It was clear to
them both that the doctor did not expect that Mrs Winterfield would
again leave her bed; and it was clear to Clara also that her aunt was
of the same opinion.

'I shall hardly be able to go home now,' she said.

'It will be kind of you if you can remain.'

'And you?'

'I shall remain over the Sunday. If by that time she is at all better,
I will run up to town and come down again before the end of the week. I
know you don't believe it, but a man really has some things which he
must do.'

'I don't disbelieve you, Captain Aylmer.'