Clara, speaking loud, and close to the poor woman's ear, for she was
deaf.

'I never looked to live after she was gone, Miss Clara never. No more I
didn't. Deary deary! And I suppose you'll be living at the big house
now; won't ye?'

'The big house belongs to Captain Aylmer, Mrs Partridge.' She was
driven to bawl out her words, and by no means liked the task. Then
Captain Aylmer said something, but his speech was altogether lost.

'Oh it belongs to the captain, do it? They told me that was the way of
the will; but I suppose it's all one.'

'Yes; it's all one,' said Captain Aylmer, gaily.

'It's not exactly all one, as you call it,' said Clara, attempting to
laugh, but still shouting at the top of her voice.

'Ah I don't understand; but I hope you'll both live there together and
I hope you'll be as good to the poor as she that is gone. Well, well; I
didn't ever think that I should be still here, while she is lying under
the stones up in the old church!'

Captain Aylmer had determined that he would ask his question on the way
back from the farm, and now resolved that he might as well begin with
some allusion to Mrs Partridge's words about the house. The afternoon
was bright and cold, and the lane down to the farmhouse had been dried
by the wind, so that the day was pleasant for walking. 'We might as
well go on to the bridge,' he said, as they left the farmyard. 'I