about money, she had, nevertheless, very clearly made up her own mind
as to her own conduct. Nothing should induce her to take a present of
fifteen hundred pounds or, indeed, of as many pence from Captain
Aylmer. During those hours of sickness in the house they had been much
thrown together, and no one could have been kinder or more gentle to
her than he had been. He had come to call her Clara, as people will do
when joined together in such duties, and had been very pleasant as well
as affectionate in his manner with her. It had seemed to her that he
also wished to take upon himself the cares and love of an adopted
brother. But as an adopted brother she would have nothing to do with
him. The two men whom she liked best in the world would assume each the
wrong place; and between them both she felt that she would be left
friendless.

On the Saturday afternoon they had both surmised how it was going to be
with Mrs Winterfield, and Captain Aylmer had told Mr Palmer that he
feared his coming on the Monday would be useless. He explained also
what was required, and declared that he would be at once ready to make
good the deficiency in the will Mr Palmer seemed to think that this
would be better even than the making of a codicil in the last moments
of the lady's life; and, therefore, he and Captain Aylmer were at rest
on that subject.

During the greater part of the Saturday night both Clara and Captain
Aylmer remained with their aunt; and once when the morning was almost
there, and the last hour was near at hand, she had said a word or two
which both of them had understood, in which she implored her darling
Frederic to take a brother's care of Clara Amedroz. Even in that moment
Clara had repudiated the legacy, feeling sure in her heart that
Frederic Aylmer was aware what was the nature of the care which he