'Yes, indeed and so thoughtful! That she will have an exceeding great
reward, who can doubt? Since I knew her she always lived as a saint
upon earth. I suppose there's nothing known as to who will live in this
house, Miss Amedroz?'

'Nothing I should think.'

'Captain Aylmer won't keep it in his own hands?'

'I cannot tell in the least; but as he is obliged to live in London
because of Parliament, and goes to Yorkshire always in the autumn, he
can hardly want it.

'I suppose not. But it will be a sad loss a sad loss to have this house
empty. Ah I shall never forget her kindness to me. Do you know, Miss
Amedroz,' and as he told his little secret he became beautifully
confidential 'do you know, she always used to send me ten guineas at
Christmas to help me along. She understood, as well as any one, how
hard it is for a gentleman to live on seventy pounds a year. You will
not wonder that I should feel that I've had a loss.' It is hard for a
gentleman to live upon seventy pounds a year; and it is very hard, too,
for a lady to live upon nothing a year, which lot in life fate seemed
to have in store for Miss Amedroz.

On the Friday evening Captain Aylmer came back, and Clara was in truth
glad to see him. Her aunt's death had been now far enough back to admit
of her telling Martha that she would not dine till Captain Aylmer had
come, and to allow her to think somewhat of his comfort. People must
eat and drink even when the grim monarch is in the house; and it is a
relief when they first dare to do so with some attention to the